Mbappe Poised to Start His Barcelona Torment Ahead of Schedule

Following Paris Saint-Germain's recent draw with Clermont Foot, Kylian Mbappe made some noteworthy comments about his team's upcoming Champions League match against Barcelona. Mbappe expressed his confidence, stating that he will not shy away from the challenge and that he and his teammates will give their all in the game.

These statements are quite different from Mbappe's recent demeanor at Parc des Princes, where he has appeared discontented. Since informing PSG of his intention to leave the club at the end of the season, Mbappe's place in the starting lineup has been uncertain, and he has made vague statements about his commitment to the team while insisting on staying focused.

Mbappe's words over the weekend can be seen as a rallying cry, signaling his determination to face an opponent who will likely play a significant role in his future. As the rivalry between his probable future club, Real Madrid, and Barcelona is intense, Mbappe is set to become intimately acquainted with Barcelona over the next decade. The match on Wednesday will mark the beginning of a new chapter in Mbappe's footballing journey.

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In this fixture, he has the opportunity to make a significant impact on Barcelona even before officially joining Real Madrid. This upcoming match presents the chance for Los Blancos' future superstar to deal a significant blow to their soon-to-be fierce rivals, even before stepping onto the field wearing the iconic white jersey for the first time.

Deal almost done

The rumors of Kylian Mbappe joining Real Madrid have persisted for some time now. The speculation first arose in 2019, and Madrid made another attempt in 2021. In May 2022, it seemed that everything was aligned for the deal to go through, but Mbappe ultimately rejected Madrid's interest when Paris Saint-Germain offered a more lucrative offer.

Following that decision, Madrid, perhaps out of frustration, declared that Mbappe would never play for them, claiming that the ship had sailed. However, the rumors of Mbappe moving to Madrid never truly went away. In October 2022, reports emerged that the Frenchman was seeking a way out of Paris, with Madrid being his desired destination. While Mbappe himself dismissed these talks, they did little to quell the ongoing speculation. New reports continued to surface regularly, and when Mbappe publicly announced last summer that he would not be extending his contract with PSG, the possibility of a move to Madrid became more realistic.

Madrid appears to have capitalized on Mbappe's discontent. Depending on which version of the story one believes, it is suggested that he has already agreed to the transfer. Allegedly, a contract, including a record-breaking €150 million signing bonus, has been verbally agreed upon.

Several Madrid players have acknowledged that they believe a deal is imminent, and Mbappe himself hinted at the possibility, stating that he would approach the Euros with a sense of calm. He mentioned that the topic is no longer discussed at PSG, indicating that a move to Madrid may be on the horizon.

Final piece in a super-team

Madrid must indeed be delighted, and not just because of the impending arrival of Kylian Mbappe. Everything has fallen into place for Los Blancos over the past year, positioning them perfectly to welcome the player they have long desired.

This season could have been a period of rebuilding for Madrid, especially since they opted not to sign Mbappe last summer. They started the campaign without a recognized striker, an abundance of midfielders, and aging players such as Toni Kroos and Luka Modric nearing the end of their careers. Additionally, it seemed that Carlo Ancelotti was destined to leave for the Brazil national team job at the end of the season. While Jude Bellingham's arrival added some promise, the team was far from being complete.

However, the reality has been far from what was expected. Madrid currently leads La Liga by a significant margin, while Bellingham has emerged as a frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or. Kroos has regained his top form, and young forwards Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz are enjoying the best seasons of their careers alongside the dynamic Vinicius Jr. Ancelotti, against expectations, declined the Brazil opportunity and extended his contract, committing to Madrid until 2026.

Furthermore, Florentino Perez has plans to bolster the squad even further. Endrick, a talented player from Palmeiras, is set to join this summer after showcasing impressive performances ahead of his €60m move to the Bernabeu. There is also speculation surrounding the potential acquisition of Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich's highly regarded left-back with five Bundesliga titles to his name. Madrid has once again built a formidable team, and Mbappe will now become the crown jewel of this squad.

Decade of dominance ahead?

This sets Madrid up to maintain their position at the pinnacle of European football. They already possess an impressive assortment of midfielders, and in less than six months, they will also have a formidable array of attacking options, potentially leading to the benching of players like Endrick or Rodrygo. The depth of talent within the squad would be unrivaled across Europe.

What's more, this side doesn't appear to require dismantling anytime soon. A glance at the star players reveals a remarkably young group. Bellingham is only 20, while Vinicius and Rodrygo are both 23. Endrick, who will join Madrid shortly after turning 18, adds to the youthful core. At 25, Mbappe seems comparatively older compared to his new teammates.

However, it's not just the attackers who have time on their side. Midfield starters Aurelien Tchouameni (24) and Eduardo Camavinga (21) are yet to reach their full potential. Additionally, players like Eder Militao, Alphonso Davies (if signed), Federico Valverde, and others are still approaching their prime years.

Assuming the majority of these players remain with the club for the long term, Madrid is poised to become the most complete team in world football for the next 5-10 years. This prospect should undoubtedly make Barcelona uneasy.

How Barca can respond?

Barcelona has always struggled to outspend Madrid, and their significant investments in recent years, such as Philippe Coutinho, Antoine Griezmann, and Ousmane Dembele, have all resulted in spectacular failures. These missteps have contributed to Barca's current dire financial situation.

Given their financial troubles, there isn't much hope for Barca in the transfer market. While Joan Laporta's efforts in 2022 may have strengthened the squad in the short term, long-term financial stability seems increasingly elusive. Reports suggest that one of their recent investors is behind on a significant payment, and La Liga's financial regulations have further constrained their spending, as they were already operating beyond their limits. Barca cannot rely on big-money signings to solve their problems, so how do they plan to compete with Madrid?

One advantage they have over their rivals is the wealth of talent within their academy. Lamine Yamal, the winner of the NXGN 2024 award, is considered the most promising prospect to emerge from La Masia since Lionel Messi. With proper management, Yamal has the potential to reach a level comparable to Mbappe in the near future. Additionally, there is hope in young talents like Pau Cubarsi in central defense and Fermin Lopez in midfield, both of whom have made appearances in Xavi's lineup this season.

It's also important to remember that Gavi won't turn 20 until this summer, while Pedri and Alejandro Balde have only recently entered their twenties. While Barca may not be able to match Madrid's spending power, they possess the potential to build a squad capable of competing with the very best.

Stop Mbappe, stop PSG?

The upcoming Champions League quarter-final presents an intriguing matchup. Barcelona will be facing a much stronger PSG team led by Mbappe than the current lineup, as he is set to move to Madrid. This match serves as an early opportunity for both sides to make a statement.

Despite Mbappe being phased out of the starting lineup due to his impending departure, PSG still heavily relies on him. While his performance levels may have dropped in 2024, he remains a world-class talent who has scored an impressive 39 goals in 40 games across all competitions this season.

Stopping Mbappe seems to be the most obvious strategy to stifle PSG. However, it will be no easy task. Mbappe has demonstrated his devastating abilities both during the March international break and in the recent match against Clermont Foot.

Additionally, Mbappe has always expressed his commitment to bringing European success to Paris. This adds another layer of motivation for him, making it a challenging time to face one of the world's best players. Barcelona is well aware that containing Mbappe is crucial for keeping their own season alive, especially as Madrid continues to dominate in the Spanish title race.

Statement of intent

More than just a single victory, a positive result against this Mbappe-led PSG side could send a powerful message. Preventing Mbappe from making an impact, while simultaneously eliminating his current team from the Champions League, would be a significant boost for Barcelona.

Undoubtedly, this won't be an easy task. Mbappe's recent comments suggest that he won't shy away from this game. He has been in and out of the Parisian setup for months, facing occasional boos from fans, protests from ultras groups, and social media ridicule for his perceived lack of interest in the team.

However, this could be one of those nights where Mbappe shines. He has always proven himself as a player who excels in big games. A prime example is the World Cup final, where he delivered an emphatic hat-trick, nearly spoiling Lionel Messi's dream ending with the Argentine national team.

If Barcelona can stifle Mbappe's impact or at least delay the damage he will inflict on them in the future, this could be a memorable week for Catalonia. It would send a powerful message and instill a sense of hope and confidence within the club.

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