On Thursday, Kylian Mbappe said that remaining at Paris Saint-Germain was his “only option for now” after informing the team he would not be extending his contract through 2024.
At a press conference before Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Gibraltar in Portugal, Mbappe said, “I’ve already addressed this issue, I stated that my objective was to continue at the club, to remain at PSG, it’s my only choice for now.
Mbappe informed the club in a letter earlier this week that he will not exercise his option to stay with the French champions until 2025.
Mbappe said on Friday, “I didn’t think a letter could kill or offend someone.”
According to him, he and PSG never spoke about extending his contract through the conclusion of the current year.
That instantly sparked speculation that the 24-year-old attacker, one of football’s most sought-after players, may leave Parc des Princes this summer along with Lionel Messi.
Mbappe said he was unsurprised by claims PSG would try to make money off of him by selling him now rather than letting him depart for free at the conclusion of next season.
“No, there’s not much that shocks me,” he said.
By submitting the letter four days before the game against Gibraltar, the France captain also denied meddling with the national team’s preparations.
People may discuss and condemn me; I embrace it all, he remarked. “People don’t know all there is to know. I am aware of why I say and do the things that I do. No issue exists with it.
“As captain, I have a responsibility. I won’t be able to escape this obligation with a few sounds. Running away is not in my personality, he continued.
Mbappe also addressed the president’s Wednesday statement that he would “try to push” for the player to remain in France.
We are on the same page because he wants me to remain in Paris and I want to stay, said Mbappe.
World Cup runners-up France host Greece on Monday in Group B of the Euro 2024 qualification tournament after facing Gibraltar in Faro.
Prior to their start of Euro qualification in March with victories over the Netherlands and Ireland, Mbappe was appointed as France’s new captain.
The Dutch are presently focused on the Nations League finals, thus a pair of victory for France would very certainly seal their qualification.