Kylian Mbappe | PSG

[Cascarino]

@Classical Mechanic, I wasn’t denying that there was an interview, I’m just pointing out it went against the general consensus of La Masia at the time, they knew they had a potential worldie.

I just checked, in 2004 Ronaldinho said Messi would go on to be the greatest of all time.

 

[Revan]

Oriol Riera on growing up at La Masia and being Messi's roommate. "If someone told me at that time that Messi would one day be the best player in the world, we would’ve laughed and said it was false."

"I joined FC Barcelona when I was 10 and moved away from my family to a place that wasn't my home, so my life completely changed just to improve and to fulfill my dream to play in LaLiga."

For kids all over Spain and Latin America, a move to Barcelona's La Masia academy was the dream. But it wasn't easy. The routine for the kids was gruelling and required self-discipline and maturity well beyond their years.

Whilst, in many ways, La Masia is the perfect place for technical development and it was here that Riera also learnt important life lessons. For a club whose motto reads "mes que un club" – that is, more than a club – the emphasis of character development was more important than anything else.

"The focus principally was to teach people to be a good man, to have good character and be a good, solid person," he said.

"If you are not a good man, if you are not a good person, and don’t have a good character, you might be the best player at other clubs, but not at Barcelona. After that, they taught us to play hard, to love the game and to love life every day."

Even with all Barcelona had to offer, it was still difficult to make it to the top.

"They have great facilities and we played in the best tournaments in the world, so we had all the capabilities to become a great player. But I have many friends from La Masia who aren't footballers, only 1 in 100 make it to LaLiga. It's very difficult."

Whilst that ratio may be true in other parts of Spain, it certainly isn't at Barcelona. Indeed, some of his 'friends' – Gerard Pique and Lionel Messi – did make it. His recalls his relationship with the Argentine, in particular, with whom he spent many years with at the Nou Camp.

The pair were roommates too, and although Messi often had little to say, Riera laughs when he recounts the numerous hours the two of them would spend gossiping about particular teenage love interests.

"Pique and Messi are the best players in their positions, but for me they are normal people that like the things we all like and enjoy," he says. "In the past, I spent three years with Messi in the under 19s and then the second team and the first team, we went up and down. He was also my roommate so we spent a lot of time together.

"We spoke about a lot of things, a lot of it about girls because at that time, I was 17 and Messi was 16 and we liked to talk about that.

"He had two characters: off the field he was very calm, very quiet, he doesn’t like talking too much. On the field, he was different, he was the best player, had the ability to get the ball, hold the ball and had all the skills."

Despite the talent, Riera insists if he had been told Messi would one day become the greatest player ever, he would have dismissed it without hesitation.

"If someone told me at that time that Messi would one day be the best player in the world, possibly ever, it would’ve been a surprise, we would’ve laughed and said it was false. We knew that Messi would be a player in the first-team and a good player, but not like this. In that moment, it was impossible to believe it.

"At the moment, he is the best player and I think in 50 years, we will talk about Messi as the best player in the history of football. There is no doubt about this."

Very weird to see this. He looked as a special talent even on that video on Argentina, and I have heard about him years before he started playing for the main team.

 

[giorno]

I don't recall people saying that about Messi. Yes, after he scored that clone of Maradona's goal against England at WC86 people were saying that he would become the best in the world but best ever? It was more by 2010 when his fellow pros were saying 'he's an alien, a playstation player etc'.

I read an interview with a lad who came through La Masia with him but ended up playing lower levels, like a contrast of experiences piece, this lad said he never thought for one second that Messi would become the best in the world, let alone the best ever, when the were at La Masia together.

Messi has amazing technical qualities but a number of players do, what you just can't predict, ever, is that a player will be able to show their best form as consistently as Messi did. That is the rare thing.

Ronaldinho was openly talking about Messi being better than him when Messi was 16...

In 2005 barcelona played juventus in the gamper trophy. Capello, Del Piero and pretty mucj every juventus player by the end of the game were thinking they'djust played against the best player in the world. Messi was 18. The Chelsea game laid rest to whatever lingering doubts there were. He was the best player on the pitch by far with peak Ronaldinho and Eto'o. Had the best defensive team in the world reduced to trying to just mow him down

 

[SCP]

Ronaldinho was openly talking about Messi being better than him when Messi was 16...

In 2005 barcelona played juventus in the gamper trophy. Capello, Del Piero and pretty mucj every juventus player by the end of the game were thinking they'djust played against the best player in the world. Messi was 18. The Chelsea game laid rest to whatever lingering doubts there were. He was the best player on the pitch by far with peak Ronaldinho and Eto'o. Had the best defensive team in the world reduced to trying to just mow him down

Basically from what I can remember Messi first appearance for Barcelona main team was a friendly for the inauguration of FCP new stadium, when Mourinho was there.

Next season Deco went to Barcelona for 2004/2005 season he told the portuguese journalists who asked him about Ronaldinho, Etoo, Giuly, Xavi,Iniesta, "wait untill you see Messi".

When they asked to compare him with Cristiano he said "Cristiano to play well needs to be 100% fit" "Messi doesn't need to be athletic to make the difference".

I know this was a long time ago, but I take Deco as someone who understands how good a player is.

 

[Ecstatic]

I'm a big fan of M'bappé but he isn't the 'next Ronaldo'

I would say he is a mix of Thierry Henry and Emile Heskey

 

[SportingCP96]

The scary thing is in 4 years he's still only going to be 23.

 

[giorno]

I'm a big fan of M'bappé but he isn't the 'next Ronaldo'

I would say he is a mix of Thierry Henry and Emile Heskey

Heard it's pronounced "Embapé" even his name is awesome

 

[BBRBB]

Heard it's pronounced "Embapé" even his name is awesome

That's how it's usually pronounced in France because it's more natural but I heard the correct way in Cameroonese is to simply say Mbappé without adding an "e" to emphasize the "M".

 

[Ecstatic]

Heard it's pronounced "Embapé" even his name is awesome

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Rooney had the same potential as Ronaldo and Messi back then. He was England's golden boy. Perhaps he did reach his potential for one season, then his physical peak was reached. Then he became less of the player he was season by season after.

As highly as a I rates teenage Rooney, he did not have the same potential as Messi.

 

[Nick7]

That's how it's usually pronounced in France because it's more natural but I heard the correct way in Cameroonese is to simply say Mbappé without adding an "e" to emphasize the "M".

Cameroonese?

 

[BBRBB]

Cameroonese?

Sounded good to me

 

[bosnian_red]

Yeah agree with those saying Messi was seen as a potential best ever very early on. At 18 he was seen as someone who everyone expected would dominate world football. Easily the biggest talent in the world and even before the 2006 world cup was seen as the successor to Maradona pretty much. 06/07 was when he started turning into one of the very best players in the world and was able to handle consistent first team football because of his size, and was voted as the 3rd best player in the world... at 19. He wasnt some unknown, it was a natural progression for him to become that even that early. Well before 2010 people were talking about him as possibly being alongside Maradona and pele by the time he was done.

Rooney was rated incredibly highly rated, but so much of that was English hype too. From a worldwide point of view, Messi was the once in a lifetime talent, while Rooney had huge potential but was never like Messi in terms of potential (only in England seen like that). Rooney was a man at 16 basically, and could handle premier league football and was more ready for first team action at a younger age, but he was never the bigger talent compared to messi. Ronaldo too was inconsistent as feck as you would expect as an 18 year old, but pretty sure many saw him as the bigger talent while Rooney just developed really early.

Likewise with Mbappe. Hes a ridiculous talent, but he is not on the Messi/Ronaldo level in terms of potential. But at the level he is at now, that he was at 18, I'd place him right up there with what he showed at 18 for Monaco. But I don't see him having the same sort of progression, but rather just being more consistent and influential with the talent he has now. Stylistically, I compare him to Brazilian Ronaldo. Obviously isnt as good, but he reminds me most of Ronaldo of anyone since then.

 

[Irrational.]

Heard it's pronounced "Embapé" even his name is awesome

He is definitely the new Emheské

 

[BalanceUnAutreJoint]

Well It's technicalkly not impossible for him to pull a Ronaldo.
Ronaldo never striked me as the most gifted player, I didn't watch Ronaldo when he was young and think that he had the potential to go on and do the things he did with his career.
Mbappe is definitely not as gifted as Messi, his first touch,ball control,passing,technique are not on the level of a 19 year old Messi but just like Ronaldo he's more athletic, faster,stronger.

I do not think he'll go on to be as good as either of them though, we're talking about scoring 50 goals a season for 10 consecutive years with Messi peaking at 91 goals.
He can be the best of his generaiton but not Messi/Ronaldo imo.


On that topic the ballon d'or talks are ridiculous, Mbappe has had a fairly average season for PSG, scoring only 13 league goals in quite a weak league on a team that scored 108 in 38 games and he was fairly anonymous in the UCL ko stage with 0 goals 0 assists.
Performing at the WC is obviously great but Argentina's defense has been terrible this entire WC and France is one of the most stacked teams, whatever he does there is not worthy of a BO when guys like Messi/Ronaldo or even Salah have had 40+ goals seasons.

 

[criticalanalysis]

The scary thing is in 4 years he's still only going to be 23.

And 10 years after that, he will 33, which is too old.

Get rid.

 

[Giggs86]

Is there any chance of him coming here? Or is he Madrid/Barca bound?

 

[Sayros]

What on earth are you talking about you poor deluded creature? The EPL is a VASTLY superior league than Ligue Un. If Mbappe wants to be considered one of the very best he will have to deliver in one of, or both, the EPL and La Liga. Being the main man for a school style project like PSG iwhilst playing in a tin pot European league won't cut it sadlly.

That is a fact. Only an idiot would think otherwise.

Personally I couldn't care less about your opinion. People who call other idiots who don't even disagree with them are pretty much morons I've no interest in discussing with. As I said, going to Manchester United would be a downgrade of his goal to win the Champion's League. He wants to play in his country a bit more before his next move. He will go to Real Madrid, and he will still be a young player. You won't see him playing for your team. Get over it.

Now, back on topic, I'm really curious to see how he's going to handle playing against Uruguay. People think he only shone because Argentina is terrible and he had plenty of space to use but back in his Monaco days, he's shown he can score against a great, tight defense in Juventus with only half a chance. This game against Uruguay is probably going to be the most difficult game France will have in the world cup. If they go through, my hopes of them winning the world cup just tripled. But even without Cavani, I think it's going to be an ugly game that could very well go to penalties and then it's anybody's game. If Mbappe manages to shine in that type of environment, then the hype will get even crazier as I can see him doing serious damage to either Brazil or Belgium next.

 

[simonhch]

Personally I couldn't care less about your opinion. People who call other idiots who don't even disagree with them are pretty much morons I've no interest in discussing with. As I said, going to Manchester United would be a downgrade of his goal to win the Champion's League. He wants to play in his country a bit more before his next move. He will go to Real Madrid, and he will still be a young player. You won't see him playing for your team. Get over it.

Now, back on topic, I'm really curious to see how he's going to handle playing against Uruguay. People think he only shone because Argentina is terrible and he had plenty of space to use but back in his Monaco days, he's shown he can score against a great, tight defense in Juventus with only half a chance. This game against Uruguay is probably going to be the most difficult game France will have in the world cup. If they go through, my hopes of them winning the world cup just tripled. But even without Cavani, I think it's going to be an ugly game that could very well go to penalties and then it's anybody's game. If Mbappe manages to shine in that type of environment, then the hype will get even crazier as I can see him doing serious damage to either Brazil or Belgium next.

I disagree with the way he spoke to you, calling you an idiot etc., but there is no world in which Manchester United is a downgrade on PSG. Bigger club, bigger league, better competition, more pressure etc. Mbappe at some point has to take that step to one of the big European teams. Don't confuse big, with rich. PSG, have a ton of money, but they aren't a big club, and the league quality is rather low. He may be more likely to win the CL at PSG in the short term, because that club has virtually nothing else to play for. It would be sad to see Mbappe do a Veratti. A generationally talented player, who stagnated by pissing away some of his best years at a level far below what is necessary for him to keep growing. Mbappe needs to play at the highest level.

 

[TheReligion]

Personally I couldn't care less about your opinion. People who call other idiots who don't even disagree with them are pretty much morons I've no interest in discussing with. As I said, going to Manchester United would be a downgrade of his goal to win the Champion's League. He wants to play in his country a bit more before his next move. He will go to Real Madrid, and he will still be a young player. You won't see him playing for your team. Get over it.

You were spoken to like that due to your initial response to me. If you can't take it don't give it out and in your own words "get over it" and "stop crying".

Ultimately if you believe PSG is a more prestigious club than United your very naive. I'm not arsed about him coming to my club in all honestly but he's a mug if he stays in France playing in tin pot Ligue Un.

 

[JPRouve]

I disagree with the way he spoke to you, calling you an idiot etc., but there is no world in which Manchester United is a downgrade on PSG. Bigger club, bigger league, better competition, more pressure etc. Mbappe at some point has to take that step to one of the big European teams. Don't confuse big, with rich. PSG, have a ton of money, but they aren't a big club, and the league quality is rather low. He may be more likely to win the CL at PSG in the short term, because that club has virtually nothing else to play for. It would be sad to see Mbappe do a Veratti. A generationally talented player, who stagnated by pissing away some of his best years at a level far below what is necessary for him to keep growing. Mbappe needs to play at the highest level.

Interestingly, I used to think that way but lately I came to a different conclusion. What you are saying is the reason why Ligue 1 is what it is, the league produces good players and they leave at the first opportunity, generally for money, which makes the league less attractive to sponsors and companies in general. The only way Ligue 1 can elevate itself and exploit its own competencies is by keeping players like Mbappé in clubs like Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Monaco. When I read your comment, I clearly see an ouroboros, a player has to leave because his league is supposed to not be strong enough but by leaving he makes the league weaker.

 

[DarkChildUTD]

PSG made Veratti apologise and fire his agent when he was linked with barca. I don't know why people are thinking it's easy for either Mbape or Neymar JR to go to madrid.

 

[Brightonian]

Interestingly, I used to think that way but lately I came to a different conclusion. What you are saying is the reason why Ligue 1 is what it is, the league produces good players and they leave at the first opportunity, generally for money, which makes the league less attractive to sponsors and companies in general. The only way Ligue 1 can elevate itself and exploit its own competencies is by keeping players like Mbappé in clubs like Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Monaco.

This is a really good point, but the problem is that the league isn't keeping these players, PSG is. The ones who stay in France do so because they go to Paris, and that's as bad for the league as if they just left.

Worse even, because players are liable to move to a local European giant even earlier than they would consider going to a foreign one. Mbappe probably would have given Monaco another season if Real Madrid had been his only suitor, and if Monaco had managed to repeat their league win maybe he could have been tempted to stay for another too. But if PSG want you the move is such a no-brainer - same country, same league, same language, just a lot more money and a better chance of winning loads of trophies - that everyone immediately says yes.

 

[JPRouve]

This is a really good point, but the problem is that the league isn't keeping these players, PSG is. The ones who stay in France do so because they go to Paris, and that's as bad for the league as if they just left.

Worse even, because players are liable to move to a local European giant even earlier than they would consider going to a foreign one. Mbappe probably would have given Monaco another season if Real Madrid had been his only suitor, and if Monaco had managed to repeat their league win maybe he could have been tempted to stay for another too. But if PSG want you the move is such a no-brainer - same country, same league, same language, just a lot more money and a better chance of winning loads of trophies - that everyone immediately says yes.

PSG are absolutely not a problem, this point should never be made, the same way Marseille or Lyon weren't a problem for Ligue 1. People refuse to accept a very simple reality, players are professionals, they play for money and french clubs don't have the means to match foreign wages, the debate starts and ends there.
Now, I should probably expend on PSG or Lyon(who won 7 titles in row), they are the only reason foreigners watch Ligue 1 with Marseille, the fact that the best players go to these clubs is very good for the league, it's just not enough because these clubs can't sign everyone and a lot of players still leave/left, which means that midtable teams are in perpetual rebuilding.

 

[Zehner]

I disagree with the way he spoke to you, calling you an idiot etc., but there is no world in which Manchester United is a downgrade on PSG. Bigger club, bigger league, better competition, more pressure etc. Mbappe at some point has to take that step to one of the big European teams. Don't confuse big, with rich. PSG, have a ton of money, but they aren't a big club, and the league quality is rather low. He may be more likely to win the CL at PSG in the short term, because that club has virtually nothing else to play for. It would be sad to see Mbappe do a Veratti. A generationally talented player, who stagnated by pissing away some of his best years at a level far below what is necessary for him to keep growing. Mbappe needs to play at the highest level.

I think fans pay too much importance to a club's prestige, supprter base etc. Playing for a big club with great support or winning a league title, even if it is the most competitive in the world, is not even close to being as important for a player's legacy as international titles. You can see it at Messi who won this season's La Liga with brillant individual performances and almost nobody even recognizes it. Or City which was arguably the best side ever to win the PL, yet nobody argues they've had a better season than the CL winner. From a players perspective, it is all about ambition and money. Regarding money, PSG is the number one in the world, this is not even a debate. Regarding ambition, PSG has much better chances of winning the CL than United and this is the most prestigous trophy in club football. Yes, Mbappe is playing in a weak league for a very strong team and thus Paris seemed to lack battle hardedness in the most important matches but due to their incredible quality alone they are more attractive for a player whose goal is to win the CL than United. I mean, the world currently debates if Neymar or Mbappe will replace Messi/Ronaldo as the best in the world and PSG has both of them. Plus a 30+ goals a season striker, one of the best midfield prospects in the world, a very profound defense and squad players other top clubs would happily include in their starting line up. Why should a player leave such a team? Maybe if he is ambitious and the potential buyer offers him an even better perspective that he perceives as worthy enough to waive money. But that's a really big if and Real is currently the only club that has the basis for such a transfer.

So from Mbappe's view, there is simply no reason to leave PSG for United, as bitter as it sounds. At least as long United isn't one of the favourites to win the UCL again. Currently, only Madrid is definitely more attractive from a ambitious point of view while Barca and Bayern seem to be on par. City could become the next club to move up into this category if they continue to develop as they did under Guardiola. United still has the financial means but currently it doesn't really look like they develop into this direction.

 

[TheReligion]

I think fans pay too much importance to a club's prestige, supprter base etc. Playing for a big club with great support or winning a league title, even if it is the most competitive in the world, is not even close to being as important for a player's legacy as international titles. You can see it at Messi who won this season's La Liga with brillant individual performances and almost nobody even recognizes it. Or City which was arguably the best side ever to win the PL, yet nobody argues they've had a better season than the CL winner. From a players perspective, it is all about ambition and money. Regarding money, PSG is the number one in the world, this is not even a debate. Regarding ambition, PSG has much better chances of winning the CL than United and this is the most prestigous trophy in club football. Yes, Mbappe is playing in a weak league for a very strong team and thus Paris seemed to lack battle hardedness in the most important matches but due to their incredible quality alone they are more attractive for a player whose goal is to win the CL than United. I mean, the world currently debates if Neymar or Mbappe will replace Messi/Ronaldo as the best in the world and PSG has both of them. Plus a 30+ goals a season striker, one of the best midfield prospects in the world, a very profound defense and squad players other top clubs would happily include in their starting line up. Why should a player leave such a team? Maybe if he is ambitious and the potential buyer offers him an even better perspective that he perceives as worthy enough to waive money. But that's a really big if and Real is currently the only club that has the basis for such a transfer.

So from Mbappe's view, there is simply no reason to leave PSG for United, as bitter as it sounds. At least as long United isn't one of the favourites to win the UCL again. Currently, only Madrid is definitely more attractive from a ambitious point of view while Barca and Bayern seem to be on par. City could become the next club to move up into this category if they continue to develop as they did under Guardiola. United still has the financial means but currently it doesn't really look like they develop into this direction.

I'm not sure why everyone is going on about United here.

What was said is a fact. The French league is second tier whilst the PL and La Liga are top. ANY top player needs to play, and will have a desire to play, at the TOP level. That is not Ligue Un and never will be.

You can go on about PSG having money but the likes of Real, Barca, United have money AND prestige AND they play at the highest level week in, week out. Mbappe will be on his bike soon enough. He's a young lad and the move to PSG has likely suited him given family life. I fully expect he won't remain in France for long.

 

[KingMinger22]

PSG made Veratti apologise and fire his agent when he was linked with barca. I don't know why people are thinking it's easy for either Mbape or Neymar JR to go to madrid.

This.

I'm not sure why everyone is going on about United here.

What was said is a fact. The French league is second tier whilst the PL and La Liga are top. ANY top player needs to play, and will have a desire to play, at the TOP level. That is not Ligue Un and never will be.

You can go on about PSG having money but the likes of Real, Barca, United have money AND prestige AND they play at the highest level week in, week out. Mbappe will be on his bike soon enough. He's a young lad and the move to PSG has likely suited him given family life. I fully expect he won't remain in France for long.

Yes, he may leave but he is the absolute elite profile of player and recent history suggests that United will not be a destination. Only Barca and Real have recruited this level of star in recent years, unfortunately.

 

[Santoryo]

Are people going to call him classless like they did Neymar for rolling on the ground after being touched?

It personally doesn't bother me but I wonder what judgemental Caf think. Or maybe we won't hear much whining about it(as it should) because it's not Neymar.

 

[Bojan11]

Are people going to call him classless like they did Neymar for rolling on the ground after being touched?

It personally doesn't bother me but I wonder what judgemental Caf think. Or maybe we won't hear much whining about it(as it should) because it's not Neymar.

There hasn’t been a proper replay of the incident.

 

[Big Chomp]

Are people going to call him classless like they did Neymar for rolling on the ground after being touched?

It personally doesn't bother me but I wonder what judgemental Caf think. Or maybe we won't hear much whining about it(as it should) because it's not Neymar.

The thing is neymar constantly does it mbappe doesn't.

 

[AltiUn]

https://www.clippituser.tv/c/vxbwra

That's the only replay I've seen, from that angle it does look like he went down softly but we'd have to see another to be sure.

 

[hasanejaz88]

I'm not sure why everyone is going on about United here.

What was said is a fact. The French league is second tier whilst the PL and La Liga are top. ANY top player needs to play, and will have a desire to play, at the TOP level. That is not Ligue Un and never will be.

You can go on about PSG having money but the likes of Real, Barca, United have money AND prestige AND they play at the highest level week in, week out. Mbappe will be on his bike soon enough. He's a young lad and the move to PSG has likely suited him given family life. I fully expect he won't remain in France for long.

I don't think that's entirely true. Money plays a bigger role than prestige in my opinion and if the league is a top 5 league (France, England, Germany, Spain, Italy) and the money is good, the player won't move. Ofcourse, another reason of moving may simply be they want to play in a different league after playing a number of years in a certain league.

I can't think of recent star players leaving big teams from France, Germany or Italy just to move to better leagues, or rejecting them in favour of an English or Spanish team. I'm not including clubs like Lyon, Dortmund etc since they clearly can not offer the wages of other big clubs in England and Spain, but rather Bayern and PSG.

 

[Don Alfredo]

I don't think that's entirely true. Money plays a bigger role than prestige in my opinion and if the league is a top 5 league (France, England, Germany, Spain, Italy) and the money is good, the player won't move. Ofcourse, another reason of moving may simply be they want to play in a different league after playing a number of years in a certain league.

I can't think of recent star players leaving big teams from France, Germany or Italy just to move to better leagues, or rejecting them in favour of an English or Spanish team. I'm not including clubs like Lyon, Dortmund etc since they clearly can not offer the wages of other big clubs in England and Spain, but rather Bayern and PSG.

Kroos and Pogba are two examples of star players from big clubs leaving for Spain and England

 

[fallengt]

Is there any chance of him coming here? Or is he Madrid/Barca bound?

He's a Real Madrid's fan. PSG also don't need money, there'd be a huge political reason if they sell.
I don't see why he should move right now tbh, PSG is perfect for his carrier at this age. Ambitious club, play every matches, become rich, stay closer to his family etc...

 

[AltiUn]

Is there any chance of him coming here? Or is he Madrid/Barca bound?

Don't think so, PSG are really stubborn when it comes to selling star players plus he's meant to be a massive Ronaldo/Madrid fan so could end up there as his eventual replacement.

 

[Andersons Dietician]

Is there any chance of him coming here? Or is he Madrid/Barca bound?

Said last season something along the lines of he didn’t think the way Manchester United play was right for him. So unless there is a change I don’t see why he would go to United.

Another thing to factor is the way the market has gone and his likely increase in valuation surely someone is looking at 200 mil + to get him out of PSG.

 

[TheReligion]

This.



Yes, he may leave but he is the absolute elite profile of player and recent history suggests that United will not be a destination. Only Barca and Real have recruited this level of star in recent years, unfortunately.

Disagree. If he wanted to move to England United would be in the running for him.

Pogba and De Gea both turned down Real for United. It all depends on where he wants to play. All the noise from him seems to be Madrid but that doesn't change the fact that PSG are second tier in a second tier league which sadly some here don't seem to want to accept.

 

[carvajal]

Mbappé's transfer seems impossible. I can't get excited about his signing despite my blind faith in Florentino.
A few months ago the president / owner of Monaco said that Madrid had offered the same amount as PSG but the player decided.
It was said that because we did not match his salary and because he wanted to be sure of having minutes, or maybe it was for both reasons.
I do not think his situation has changed so much in a year to demand a transfer.
He is very young, plays in his country and still has options to win the champions.
The only realistic option I see is that two factors come together, FFP and that he thinks "ok, I'm as good as I thought, I have to move forward as soon as possible",but even in that case he is still 19/20.He can wait 1,2 more years.
About the FFP, imagine that in this new investigation they sanction them or force them to sell.
Would they be forced to act with Mbappé, because it was a loan, or the later operation, or could they sell anyone?

 

[kouroux]

Mbappé's transfer seems impossible. I can't get excited about his signing despite my blind faith in Florentino.
A few months ago the president / owner of Monaco said that Madrid had offered the same amount as PSG but the player decided.
It was said that because we did not match his salary and because he wanted to be sure of having minutes, or maybe it was for both reasons.
I do not think his situation has changed so much in a year to demand a transfer.
He is very young, plays in his country and still has options to win the champions.
The only realistic option I see is that two factors come together, FFP and that he thinks "ok, I'm as good as I thought, I have to move forward as soon as possible",but even in that case he is still 19/20.He can wait 1,2 more years.
About the FFP, imagine that in this new investigation they sanction them or force them to sell.
Would they be forced to act with Mbappé, because it was a loan, or the later operation, or could they sell anyone?

His demands would even be higher now I think

 

[Zehner]

I'm not sure why everyone is going on about United here.

What was said is a fact. The French league is second tier whilst the PL and La Liga are top. ANY top player needs to play, and will have a desire to play, at the TOP level. That is not Ligue Un and never will be.

You can go on about PSG having money but the likes of Real, Barca, United have money AND prestige AND they play at the highest level week in, week out. Mbappe will be on his bike soon enough. He's a young lad and the move to PSG has likely suited him given family life. I fully expect he won't remain in France for long.

As I said, nobody cares about the league anymore. It's daily routine. Star players want to a) maximize their chance of winning the CL and b) maximize their pay check. Priorities may differ from individual to individual, some are more ambitious others more "greedy" but these two factors have been the most decisive for more or less any footballer on Mbappe's level in the past. PSG outperforms United in both areas. If he succeeds at PSG, he will not move to United as long as it remains in its current state. The United of the 00 years when you were constantly among the top 3 would be a totally different story.

The PL may be the best league in the world in terms of width but in the last 5-6 years, it is behind at least three leagues in absolute top teams. Madrid, Barca, Bayern, PSG were clearly and Juve arguably better than the most successful English sides and thus more attractive to star players while the Premier Leage is probably favoured amon the tier below that. I believe the PL is developing very well, especially due to the tactical influence of foreign coaches and some clubs could definitely compete with the absolute top dogs in the near future, but still: If you want to win the CL - and that's why players of Mbappe calibre move clubs for - it is not the destination you choose if you have the choice to go to one of the named competitors above. From the generally agreed world beater talents of the past, only Hazard moved to the PL while Neymar, Mbappe, Götze, Dembele, Vinicius Junior etc. preferred other teams.