PSG star Kylian Mbappé coy on club future and possible Real Madrid move

For the first time since 15 June, the date on which he took part in a pre-match press conference ahead of the Euro 2024 qualifier against Gibraltar in Faro, Portugal, France captain Kylian Mbappé spoke to the press ahead of Saturday’s return fixture between the two nations. The Paris Saint-Germain forward had skipped media duties in an effort to quash speculation surrounding his future and reiterated that he wouldn’t be commenting on his club situation, with his full focus on France.

Mbappé's PSG future “nothing to do with France”

Of course, it didn’t take long for that particular topic to come up, with the 24-year-old batting away any questions related to his plans at club level. “My future has nothing to do with the French team. If you want to ask me that question, come to the PSG Campus (the club’s training centre) and I’ll answer. The country comes first here.”

“The last time was in June, when I announced I wouldn’t be taking part in all the press conferences. I’d already I wasn’t anybody’s boss, including Griezmann, and he did the next three press conferences,” Mbappé said of his recent media silence.

The France captain then went on to discuss a number of other issues, including whether he would be interested in playing in the Olympic Games, which will be held in Paris next summer. “It all depends on the coach. It would be a pleasure to play, but if the coach doesn’t want me to, I’ll accept that decision. I don’t think you have to think about it too much. If it’s yes, it’s yes, if it’s no, it’s no. But I want to play and I think people do too.”

France captain on Luis Enrique criticism

Mbappé also revealed differences between how France manager Didier Deschamps and PSG coach Luis Enrique approach games. “The manager here changes depending on our opponent, which means that I am a different player. I have to use a wider skill set. I can still improve and expand my skill set. Here, the coach allows me to have total freedom on the left wing. Luis Enrique gives me more structure. I am adapting to all these systems, and with the two great coaches I have, I am interested in listening to them,” he added.

Last week, the attacker was criticised by PSG boss Luis Enrique, who was “not happy” with his performance in the win over Reims, even though he had scored a hat-trick. “You have to ask him why he felt that at the time. I took it very well, he’s a great coach who has a lot to teach me. From day one, I told him he wouldn’t have any problems with me. I’ve always worked very well with the coaches I have had. I am a player who is very demanding of himself, so if I find those demands from someone else too, it’s perfect for me.”

Lionel Messi “deserved” to win Ballon d’Or

As for the recently awarded Ballon d’Or, Mbappé, who finished third in the voting, voiced his belief that Inter Miami star and Argentina captain Lionel Messi was the rightful winner. “I’m not someone who is afraid to speak up. The ranking is what it is. Messi won the World Cup, so he deserves it. He’s one of the best players of all time, if not the best. On the night of the World Cup final, I already knew who had won the Ballon d’Or.”

Finally, the France captain showered praise on PSG teammate Warren Zaïre-Emery, a 17-year-old midfielder who has been called up by France for the first time. “He’s fascinating. He’s already very mature, plays with a lot of personality, is a modern midfielder who is not afraid to move forward with the ball. Our goal is to support him. I have no advice to give him. He will learn very quickly on his own. With the coaches he has, he has everything he needs to progress. At 17, he’s the same age as my little brother... It’s incredible. I’m not old, but now I am a bit. This guy comes in and does his job... Our mission is to protect him,” he said.

Deschamps: “Mbappé doesn’t influence my decisions”

France coach Deschamps also spoke to the media, confirming that Zaïre-Emery would make his debut on Saturday and discussing details of his “fantastic” relationship with Mbappé, who he says has no impact on the decisions he makes on the field.

“My relationship with Mbappé is very good and is very good for the team as a whole. As captain, it’s his responsibility to engage with the whole group. That’s something that doesn’t weigh heavily on him. He enjoys it. It’s a role he likes because, like Antoine (Griezmann), he has the ability to get everyone on his side. Does he influence my decisions? He doesn’t even think about it. He’s a player, but neither he nor anyone else tells me at any time ‘he has to play’ or ‘he shouldn’t play”.