Mbappe & PSG: The Fairytale Turned Farce

Following Kylian Mbappe's announcement that he intends to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season, midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni took to social media with a post featuring only popcorn emojis. The message was clear: Tchouameni is eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the ongoing drama surrounding Mbappe's future.

Tchouameni's excitement is understandable, as he believes that Mbappe will soon join him at Real Madrid. While there are still financial obstacles to overcome, it is expected that Mbappe will soon confirm his desire to move to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

While this has long been a dream for the winger and shared by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, it poses a nightmare for PSG.

Colossal damage done to PSG's brand

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While there is a possibility that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) may receive some form of financial compensation from Kylian Mbappe, such as forfeiting certain bonuses or his signing-on fee, the loss of the world's best player will come at a significant cost to the club. PSG stands to lose out on sponsorship deals, commercial opportunities, and a substantial number of social media followers.

Even with the presence of Neymar and Lionel Messi, Mbappe remained the most valuable player for PSG in all aspects. He was not just a remarkable talent but also a beloved local hero.

Ideally, PSG would have seen Mbappe lead them to their first Champions League triumph, a dream that may still be realized before his departure. However, what was once a Parisian fairytale has gradually turned into a farcical situation.

PSG promise playing time

Real Madrid's interest in Kylian Mbappe has been longstanding, with the club first inviting him to their training ground in 2012 when he was just a young fan with posters of Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane on his bedroom wall. In 2017, Madrid had even agreed to a deal with Monaco to sign Mbappe, but he surprised everyone by choosing to join PSG instead.

According to Luis Ferrer, a former member of PSG's recruitment team, the decision wasn't solely about money. It was a complex process that took months of negotiations. Madrid was Mbappe's dream destination, which made it even more challenging for PSG to convince him otherwise.

The recruitment team had to come up with innovative ideas to persuade Mbappe to choose PSG. One strategy was to emphasize the upcoming 2018 World Cup and offer him a guaranteed starting spot in the team, something that Madrid couldn't promise at the time. This promise was made because they genuinely believed in Mbappe's talent. It was a rare situation where a guarantee of playing time was given directly by the recruitment team rather than the coach, with Unai Emery, the former PSG manager, playing a significant role in convincing Mbappe and his parents that PSG was the best career move for him at that stage.

'I want to write history in my city'

The prospect of returning to Paris held immense appeal for Mbappe. He expressed his desire to make history in France, in the capital city, his own country, and his hometown. Mbappe's upbringing in Bondy had a profound impact on his perspective and values.

Mbappe highlighted the significance of football in his life, describing it as essential, a daily necessity akin to bread and water. Growing up in Bondy, he learned values that extended beyond the sport itself. He learned to treat everyone equally, as they were all part of the same community, sharing the same dreams.

In a show of appreciation for his roots, Mbappe visited Bondy after his official unveiling as a PSG player in 2017. He spent time meeting and inspiring the aspiring young footballers who dreamt of following in his footsteps. This gesture demonstrated his connection to his hometown and his desire to give back to the community that shaped him.

Paris Saint-Germain are thrilled to announce the signing of Kylian Mbappé!  #BienvenueKylian pic.twitter.com/dOLX2YpP7x

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 31, 2017

While the event in Bondy may have been organized by Mbappe's primary sponsor, Nike, it also held significant value for PSG. Bondy, being a productive banlieue, is recognized as one of the best sources of football talent globally. Thus, having Mbappe, a product of that environment, as the face of the club was incredibly beneficial for PSG in terms of public relations.

'I also came for collective accomplishments'

Mbappe's impact on the field cannot be ignored. He is currently on track to secure his sixth consecutive season as Ligue 1's top scorer, and he has already surpassed Edinson Cavani as PSG's all-time leading goal scorer.

KYLIAN MBAPPE IS PSG'S ALL-TIME RECORD GOALSCORER  pic.twitter.com/tX29dJbxVX

— GOAL (@goal) March 4, 2023

Mbappe made it clear that his focus was not solely on personal accomplishments, stating, "It's a personal achievement, but I also came here for collective success." This sentiment indicated his growing dissatisfaction with PSG's lack of consistent competitiveness in the Champions League.

Initially, it appeared that Mbappe would leave PSG on a free transfer in 2022, and Real Madrid believed they had finally secured their target. However, Mbappe surprised everyone by choosing to remain in Paris after being offered increased financial incentives and greater influence.

Although PSG denied appointing Mbappe as a de facto sporting director, Nasser Al-Khelaifi stated that he would be a pivotal figure in the club's future plans.

However, this project is now teetering on the edge of collapse. This may not necessarily be a negative outcome, as it would allow PSG to move on from Mbappe and their unhealthy reliance on superstar players.

'It is not Kylian Saint-Germain'

During a disagreement over image rights, Mbappe famously remarked that while PSG was a big family, it was not "Kylian Saint-Germain." This statement highlighted the growing perception that Mbappe had become larger than the club itself, which PSG seemed aware of, as they consistently went to great lengths to accommodate his every request.

However, last year, it seemed that PSG's patience had worn thin. A leaked letter confirming Mbappe's intention to leave the club in 2024 created tension, resulting in his exclusion from a pre-season tour of Asia. Nevertheless, after "constructive and positive talks," Mbappe was ultimately welcomed back into the fold.

In response to the disagreement, Mbappe has continued to excel on the field, scoring an impressive 31 goals in just 30 appearances across various competitions. His contribution includes a crucial opening goal in PSG's recent Champions League victory over Real Sociedad.

'PSG existed before Mbappe'

Reports suggest that Mbappe informed Al-Khelaifi of his intention to leave PSG this summer before the game at the Parc des Princes. This time, it is believed that Mbappe is serious about his decision, which might come as a relief for PSG.

The ongoing saga surrounding Mbappe's future has had a detrimental impact on PSG's image as a serious and stable club. Mbappe himself has expressed frustration, suggesting that his achievements at PSG have been undervalued due to the club's divisive reputation and tendency to attract gossip.

While Mbappe has valid concerns about the management of PSG, the irony of his own contribution to the tabloid talk through his constant flirting with Real Madrid, on-field behavior, and criticism of his coach seems to be lost on him.

Critics, such as Jerome Rothen, have accused Mbappe of making too much noise and exacerbating controversies. Christophe Dugarry even predicted back in 2019 that the relationship between Mbappe and PSG would turn sour.

Mbappe's departure will undoubtedly have a significant impact on PSG, but as former sporting director Leonardo pointed out, it is challenging to build a successful team around such a fickle figure. Leonardo believes that it is time for Mbappe to go in the best interest of PSG, emphasizing that the club existed before him and will continue to exist after his departure.

While this may not be the ideal ending for PSG, at least the prolonged saga appears to be finally reaching its conclusion.

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