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Insatiable Mbappé explains ‘arrogant’ claims
PSG star Kylian Mbappé spoke after receiving the French player of the year award from France Football magazine, with his future still uncertain.
In a recent interview with national magazine France Football, Kylian Mbappé, hailed as the best French football player of the past season, opened up about his future plans and where he envisions himself playing next season. When asked if there were reasons to believe that this could be his final season in Ligue 1, he responded with characteristic determination.
“It’s quite simple. I’m a competitor. When I step onto the field, it’s to win. It doesn’t matter who I play with, what jersey I wear, where I play, or what year it is. I never settle; I only want to win.
“I’ll never be satisfied. My ultimate goal is to win the Champions League. After taking a break, recharging my energy, I’ll come back with the same hunger everyone knows me for.”
Mbappé in search of perfection
Despite his success with Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappé has not ruled out a potential departure from the club with some crucial dates coming up to focus his decision making. His driving force is the pursuit of victory, as he explained.
“I’m always unsatisfied, which means I’m never impressed with my own achievements. That’s the first key to understanding who I am. Every time I accomplish something, I tell myself that I can do it again, and even better. I have an insatiable hunger for victory. I don’t want to be on a team just to participate. That’s why some people may perceive me as arrogant because I despise mere participation.
“It’s not in my nature; it’s not who I am. I’m not afraid to express my desires, even when things don’t go as planned. I’m not afraid of failure either; it’s a part of a footballer’s career. But deep down, I firmly believe that I was born to win, and I want to show it to everyone.”
PSG with Mbappé failing to hit Champions League heights
Mbappé also addressed PSG’s ongoing struggle to clinch the Champions League trophy.
“I don’t know what PSG lacks to win the Champions League; it’s not a question for me. You need to talk to the people who shape the team, who organize the squad, who build this club.
“I simply focus on doing my job to the best of my abilities. I’ve been the top scorer in Ligue 1 for five consecutive years, and yet, according to my critics, I could do even better. Sometimes in football, you encounter what is known as a glass ceiling. That’s why it’s not a pressing question for me; it’s a question for those in charge.”
Mbappé also addressed the criticism he receives for his style of play.
“I’ve been scoring goals prolifically for years, so it becomes ordinary to people. I’ve never complained about my performances being trivialised. I myself used to normalise what Messi and Ronaldo were doing. We live in a consumer society where what you’ve done is considered good, but you’re expected to do it again.
“I believe playing for PSG doesn’t help in this regard because it’s divisive and attracts criticism. However, it doesn’t bother me because I know what I’m doing and how I do it.”
Mbappé on Ballon d’Or hopes
When it comes to his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or, Mbappé remains optimistic.
“With the old rules, I would have said it’s impossible for me to win it. But with the new rules, I think I’m still a contender. They look for the most impressive player, the one who had the most impact, the most decisive, the one who dazzled the eyes.
“We’ll see what happens, but I believe I’m still a candidate, that’s the truth. Many things make me proud. First and foremost, the fact that I kept winning titles in Ligue 1, which is what we play for.”
Reflecting on France’s loss to Argentina in the World Cup final, Mbappé remains hopeful of future success, lest we not forget that he already has one global crown in the bag.
“It’s just a temporary setback. I believe we’ll win another one. The team has this desire, this dream. Hopefully, in a few years, I’ll be able to say that everything turned out for the better, even though losing a World Cup final will always be a painful memory.
“But I’ve learned to live with it, and it no longer haunts me. It’s a part of history, something in the past.”