France star Kylian Mbappe has revealed that a conversation with his naiton’s president Emmanuel Macron helped decide his future over the summer, when he eventually opted to remain at PSG and penned a new three-year deal.
The striker was out of contract at the Parc des Prince at the end of last season, and was widely expected to join Spanish giants Real Madrid on a free transfer when his deal expired in the French capital.
NEYMAR JR of PSG and Kylian MBAPPE of PSG during the French championship Ligue 1 football match between Stade de Reims and Paris Saint-Germain on August 29, 2021 at Auguste Delaune stadium in Reims, France – Photo Matthieu Mirville / DPPI 2GGG18W NEYMAR JR of PSG and Kylian MBAPPE of PSG during the French championship Ligue 1 football match between Stade de Reims and Paris Saint-Germain on August 29, 2021 at Auguste Delaune stadium in Reims, France – Photo Matthieu Mirville / DPPI (Alamy Stock Photo)
However, he opted to extend his stay in his home country, much to the anger of Real Madrid fans who had felt he was on the verge of arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu.
And, in a recent interview with the New York Times, he opened up on a phone call that he had with his country’s President, who asked him to stay in France.
“I never imagined I’m gonna talk with the president about my future, about my future in my career, so it’s something crazy, really something crazy”, he began.
“He told me: ‘I want you to stay. I don’t want you to leave now. You are so important for the country.’”
And his words certainly had an effect on the young star.
“When the president says that to you, that counts”, the striker himself added.
Mbappe has begun the season in fine form, and currently sits joint top of the goalscoring charts in the French top flight with seven strikes to his name.
With a World Cup around the corner, he will be hoping to continue this form for Les Blues and help them defend the title that he won with them in 2018./
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