Kylian Mbappe said French President Emmanuel Macron has no influence on his career choices as the Paris St Germain forward lost his cool on Thursday when questioned about his future with the Ligue 1 champions.
Mbappe sent a letter to PSG stating that he had no intention of extending his contract, which expires in 2024, but he later clarified that he had not asked the French club to allow him to move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
When Mbappe was linked with a move away from PSG in 2021, Macron had urged him to stay at PSG and to continue playing in the French top flight.
READ ALSO:
Mbappe: I’m staying at PSG| Leaks with the aim of “damaging my image”
Mbappe won’t trigger PSG extension/He could leave this summer
PSG president plays down involvement in Man United ownership saga
French media earlier this week said that Macron would push for Mbappe to stay but the 24-year-old simply reiterated his stance that his plan was to remain with PSG next season.
“What influence does the President have? On my career today, in 2023, none. He wants me to stay in Paris, my objective is to stay. We’re on the same wavelength,” Mbappe told reporters ahead of France’s European Championship qualifier against Gibraltar on Friday.
“Am I going to leave PSG? I’ve already answered, I’ve said that my objective is to stay at PSG, that’s my only option at the moment. I’m ready to come back when pre-season resumes.
PSG face the dilemma of allowing Mbappe to run down the final year of his contract and being unable to recoup any of the €180m (£154m) they spent in 2017 to sign the forward from AS Monaco.
Mbappe has finished as Ligue 1’s top scorer in the last five seasons.
“I’ve been used to it since I was very young. I’m thinking about tomorrow’s game. That’s my only concern,” he said.
“What happens outside is secondary, I’ve always managed to do both. I want to show tomorrow that I’m a great player.”