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Kylian Mbappé is pulling back the curtain a bit following his exit from Paris Saint-Germain and move to Real Madrid this summer.
“I wasn’t unhappy at PSG, that would be a slap in the face of the people who defended me — I have always been happy,” he told reporters Tuesday.
“But certain things made me unhappy, but a player like me couldn’t show that because I am a leader, so I tried to be as positive as possible. The coach, the players and the employees of the club supported me, and it would be bad form to come and moan and say that I was unhappy. But certain things and people made me unhappy.”
Paris Saint-Germain has already fired back, with a club source telling Agence France-Presse (via Get French Football News) that Mbappé “has absolutely no class.”
Based on Mbappé’s retelling, PSG officials told him he wouldn’t play for the club amid questions over his long-term commitment last summer. Manager Luis Enrique and football advisor Luis Campos “saved” him and ensured the 25-year-old would be on the pitch.
While Paris Saint-Germain omitted Mbappé from a preseason tour and the Ligue 1 opener, it seems impossible he would’ve been frozen out or refused to play once it became clear he wasn’t leaving before the close of the summer transfer window.
The dynamic forward was PSG’s best player, finishing with 44 goals and 10 assists across all competitions. The club wasn’t going to let him languish on the bench as it sought to win the French league again and pursue the Champions League triumph that has proven so elusive.
The PSG source maintained to the AFP that club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi “has never dictated any decision regarding the team.”
Likewise, Mbappé wasn’t going to risk not playing in a season leading up to an international tournament. Euro 2024 kicks off June 14 in Germany and France is one of the strongest sides in the field.
Because his contract expired, Mbappé was allowed to make a straightforward break with Paris Saint-Germain and sign with the club of his choosing. However, it sounds like the separation is still going to get messy.