PSG star Kylian Mbappé opens door to MLS or Saudi Arabia move with soccer “entering a new era”

Speaking to GQ magazine, Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé has spoken about both his present situation and his future, leaving the door open to moves to MLS or Saudi Arabia as he discussed the possibility of leaving Europe at one point or another, like former teammates Lionel Messi and Neymar.

“Many great players who have shaped the history of soccer left Europe last summer and we are entering a new era. It’s part of the cycle of the sport and at some point it will also be my turn to leave. I’m not worried about those changes. I just think about continuing with my career and following my own path.”

Different coaches and captaincy helping Mbappé evolve

The France captain, who is wanted by Real Madrid, believes that his evolution has come as a result of working with a number of coaches: “By playing for six or seven different coaches, I’v learned six or seven different ways of doing my job. I’ve developed different facets of my game and have constantly added things to my game. The right attitude to have if you want to progress is to listen and adapt.”

Full screen

Mbappé believes being captain has helped him mature a lot both with PSG and the French national team: “The big difference compared to before is that my attention was really focused on my performance and what I could contribute to the team as an individual. Being captain is a new version of soccer.”

Soccer “getting closer to NBA model”

The 25-year-old also gave his view on how the sport is evolving: “We are getting closer to the NBA model, with 70-game seasons. Personally, I’m not against playing so many games, but we won’t always be able to play so well and give the public the spectacle they expect. (...) But right, if I decided to say ‘I’m tired, I’m not going to play on Saturday’, it wouldn’t go down well. I don’t want to lecture anyone, but we have to think together about how to offer the best possible show, so that players, spectators and authorities can all get behind it.”

Will Mbappé play for France at the 2024 Olympics?

Finally, Mbappé discussed the possibility of taking part in the 2024 Olympic Games, to be held in Paris in July and August: “I have reached a stage in my life and career in which I no longer want to force things. If you let me do it, I’ll be delighted, but if it’s not possible, I’ll understand. The Olympic Games are special for any athlete, and I already wanted to go to Tokyo, because I want to win everything and write my name in the history of the French team as a player who made a difference.”

Keep up to date with all the latest soccer news on AS USA.