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PSG president Al Khelaïfi has “plan” and “gentleman’s agreement” with Real Madrid target Mbappé
The Qatari insists Paris is the best place for the France captain to play and is confident he will sign a contract extension.
On Tuesday, Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al Khelaïfi was the guest on French radio show Rothen s’enflamme, hosted by former PSG player turned pundit Jérôme Rothen. The Qatari was questioned on a number topics, including the future of Real Madrid target Kylian Mbappé, who he wants to stay in the French capital and who he insisted is “the centre of the project”.
What did Al Khelaïfi about Mbappé's future at PSG?
Mbappé's future: “I want Kylian to stay, that’s clear. He is the best player in the world, and the best thing for him is PSG. He is the centre of the project. In sporting terms, we have given him everything. He has an agreement with me.”
“Gentleman’s agreement” with Mbappé: “Kylian is a great man, a great player, but also a great person. As he said after the Trophée des Champions (French Super Cup), he has an agreement with me. It remains between us; I don’t want to reveal what is in this agreement, but there is an agreement. I don’t want to talk about money or say how much the agreement is worth. We have a gentleman’s agreement, which has nothing to do with money. It’s between a player and the president of the club, the sporting director, and the coach. It’s more than a signed agreement.
“I don’t want to go into details, but I saw that he spoke about it. I protect my family. I won’t allow anyone to destabilise Kylian or my team. My message is very clear. He is part of the family, and I will protect this family.”
The next few months (Mbappé's contract expires in June): “He has the best training complex in the world, the best coach in the world, we are in the Champions League every year. The French league has evolved a lot, and with (the) CVC (investment deal), it will continue to develop. Leave him alone; we are fine. I have confidence in him; he will never harm the club. I honestly ask everyone to leave Kylian alone. Leave us alone; we are fine. He will never harm the club. I trust him 200%. He is a good guy. He gave me his word, and he is a man of his word. I believe in him.”
PSG move away from “galáctico” project
Change of strategy at PSG: “We are trying many things. It’s an experiment for us. We are building a young, strong French team. We are in it for the long term. We are not in a hurry, and we have a fantastic coach. One thing is clear. Luis Enrique is the best coach in the world right now.”
The end of the “galáctico” project: “We don’t need superstars. Nowadays, the star is Paris Saint-Germain (...) We need players who respect the jersey, who respect the club, and who give everything for the badge and the Paris Saint-Germain jersey.”
Al Khelaïfi unhappy with Lionel Messi criticism of PSG
Messi’s criticism: “I have great respect for him, but if someone wants to speak ill of Paris Saint-Germain after (his departure), that’s not right. That’s not showing respect (...) He’s not a bad guy, but I don’t like that. It’s not just about him, it’s about everyone. We talk when we are here, not when we leave. That’s not our style.”
The Council of Paris’ refusal to sell the Parc des Princes: “They doesn’t want us to buy it because we are Qataris; it’s because we are the state of Qatar and we are Arabs. It’s very serious to say that. I don’t even know if it’s legal to say that. You can’t say that; it’s very serious.”
Al Khelaïfi to L’Équipe: Mbappé extension “just a matter of time”
Al Khelaïfi also gave an interview to French newspaper L’Équipe, in which he repeated and expanded on a number of things he had told Rothen, as well as recalling Mbappé's most recent contract extension in 2022, which he signed at the 11th hour when it looked as if he could be leaving.
“He made it very clear; he has an agreement with me. We have a great relationship; he is the best player in the world. I’m not going to hide that I want to keep him. I am confident because the best place for him is Paris, as a French player, as the captain of the national team, vice-captain of PSG, having been here for seven years. He has the ambition to do great things with PSG. We have everything he needs: a fantastic coach who adores him and who he adores, the best training complex in the world, a great team. He has it all here.
“He said he always waited until the last moment to make his decisions. Last time (in 2022), he extended his contract at the last moment. I understand. It’s just a matter of time. Of course, we are in regular contact on this matter. I repeat, believe me, this is the best place for him. I trust him 200%. He is a good guy. He gave me his word, and he is a man of his word. I believe in him.”
When asked whether he had a plan with and without Mbappé, the PSG president responded: “I have a plan. With Kylian”.