French superstar Kylian Mbappe has revealed what the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, claimed about his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Real Madrid. The Frenchman stated that the Qatari leader, who owns PSG, made the claim amid false reports of an ‘irrefutable offer’ being readied by the club to extend his contract.
The 25-year-old moved to the Santiago Bernabeu on a free transfer at the start of the 2024-25 season. In a stellar seven-year stint at the Parc des Princes, he racked up a whopping 256 goals and 108 assists in 308 appearances across all competitions.
Despite having a contract that paid him nearly €200 million (before tax) at PSG, Mbappe‘s move to long-term suitors Real Madrid was growing increasingly likely in 2024. Amid the rumours, he was invited for a conversation by Al Thani. The Frenchman was expecting a contract offer on better terms, but was surprised by the Qatari emir’s claim.
In a recent interview with French TV outlet Canal+, Mbappe reminisced the sequence of events. He said (via AS):
“I’m in the car and the news comes out that the emir of Qatar is going to make me an irrefutable offer to stay at PSG. But he actually said to me, ‘They think I’m going to make you an offer, but you have decided to leave and I respect your decision. You want to fulfil your dream of going to Real Madrid, thank you for everything. That got under my skin. I told him I was going to do my best until the end of the season.”
Mbappe has bagged 11 goals and two assists in 21 appearances across all competitions for the Merengues this season.
“I knew I was going to play here” – Kylian Mbappe makes claim about Real Madrid presentation
Superstar forward Kylian Mbappe recollected the day he was presented as a Real Madrid player. The 25-year-old claimed that he had dreamed about the move and knew he was going to play for Los Blancos one day.
The Frenchman, who joined on a free transfer upon the expiration of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), was presented to nearly 80,000 adoring fans at the Santiago Bernabeu (July 16).
Speaking to French media outlet Canal+, the 25-year-old said (via AS):
“I always dreamed of Real Madrid. I don’t know when or how, but I knew I was going to play here. I have a good visual memory. The day before the presentation, there was a three-hour briefing, I had to translate for my mother and father, it was exhausting. The next day you have a first contact with the players, then I meet the coach, there’s Zizou, the public welcomes you like a king, the president talks about you.”
Up next, Mbappe will be seen in action when Real Madrid take on Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League (December 10).
Edited by Nihal
