The internet reacts as Kylian Mbappe picks PSG over Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain have announced a new contract for Kylian Mbappe that will put an end to talk of a transfer to Real Madrid for the immediate future.
“I’m really happy to continue the adventure here at Paris Saint-Germain. To stay in Paris, my city,” he said.
“I hope that I will continue to do what I prefer to with you all… and win titles together! Thanks a lot”.
𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐬’𝐞́𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐜𝐢
𝐈𝐜𝐢 𝐜’𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬🔴🔵 #KylianCestParis pic.twitter.com/LtCVEKeqis
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) May 21, 2022
The future of Kylian Mbappe has been the talking point of football fans for quite some time now and the Frenchman appeared to be on his way to Real Madrid this summer, at the expiry of his contract at PSG. A long-time admirer of Los Blancos, Mbappe appeared set to form a frightening attacking line alongside Karim Benzema and Erling Haaland – who was also tipped to join Real Madrid.
When Mbappe scored twice against Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League, it was seen as an audition for his move to the Santiago Bernabeu, and he even received plaudits from Madridistas as if he were a loanee performing against his parent club.
According to reports in recent days, Mbappe had actually agreed deals with both Real Madrid and PSG and his decision would be made clear over the weekend, with neither club knowing what that would be.
And it is now certain that Mbappe will be staying at PSG for the upcoming season. Mbappe has signed a new there-year deal with PSG, with BBC Sport saying he will earn over £650,000 a week and retain the majority of his image rights, a commercially beneficial arrangement for the player.
But while PSG fans will be rejoicing, La Liga president Javier Tebas has hit out at Kylian Mbappe, calling the Frenchman’s reported new contract an “insult to football”.
“What PSG is going to do by renewing Mbappé with large amounts of money (to know where and how he pays them) after losses of €700M in recent seasons and having more than €600M of salary bill, is an insult to football. Al-Khelafi is as dangerous as the Super League,” he said.
Lo que va a hacer el PSG renovando a Mbappé con grandes cantidades de dinero (a saber dónde y cómo las paga) despues de dar pérdidas por 700M€ en las últimas temporadas y tener mas 600M€ de masa salarial, es un INSULTO al fútbol. Al-Khelafi es tan peligroso como la Superliga. pic.twitter.com/sZ1Y1TaSbK
— Javier Tebas Medrano (@Tebasjavier) May 21, 2022
La Liga have even reported PSG to Uefa, along with French and EU authorities, labelling the deal a “scandal.”
PSG's wage bill was €503m in 2020-21, a season in which they made a loss of €224m.
La Liga's statement this evening about Mbappé is obviously partly sour grapes. But. PSG's spending is ludicrous.
Nation state club ownership: urgh. pic.twitter.com/eHNWM3pGjS
— Nick Harris (@sportingintel) May 21, 2022
But Tebas wasn’t the only one to comment on a developing story that is dominating football.
So @KMbappe is to stay at @PSG_English. Not overly surprised. He’s had such a brilliant season playing alongside 2 absolute greats, and it’s his home City. Oh, and it appears that he’ll now practically run the club.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) May 21, 2022
Real Madrid players were told of Mbappe’s decision by club president Florentino Perez after their final game of the title-winning season, according to Guillem Balague, who added: “I hear it’s about a 150m Euros sign-on fee from PSG.”
Now that is clear that Mbappé stays at #PSG, let me tell you a bit more about how last night when, when Florentino Pérez went down to the changing room to tell the players and the consequence of publishing the story.@BBCSport: https://t.co/iZcVGgjR8M pic.twitter.com/VCaxUbOiPx
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) May 21, 2022
In a surprise to no one, am told Perez is “apoplectic”. There is some surprise in Madrid they allowed it to get to this situation without Mbappe signing anything.
If it was a normal situation, especially after Super League, Perez should be resigning…
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) May 21, 2022
According to journalist Romain Molina, Mauricio Pochettino and sporting director Leonardo will be leaving the club this summer.
Bye bye Leonardo.
— Romain Molina (@Romain_Molina) May 21, 2022
Only three years till Mbappé is a free agent again… ⏳ https://t.co/Ttb0ev1Jun pic.twitter.com/HJPrBAnHWE
— Euan McTear (@emctear) May 21, 2022
Much was made of Mbappe’s supposed newfound influence on PSG transfers, with stories now emerging that the Ligue 1 champions will seek to sign his France teammate Ousmane Dembele.
⚠️🔵🔴 Cuenta @Santos_Relevo que una de las peticiones que Mbappé había pedido al PSG para aceptar la renovación es el fichaje de Dembélé #fcblive pic.twitter.com/H0H6L5RoMm
— Albert Rogé (@albert_roge) May 21, 2022
