For over a year, Kylian Mbappé kept us all guessing as to which club he would choose to play for after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired. Would he stay in the French capital, or, would he chase his childhood dream and go to Real Madrid.
The easiest way forward would have been for Mbappé to leave for Real Madrid. It’s what everyone expected him to do and before the 2021-22 season, the Frenchman admitted his desire to leave PSG for Los Blancos.
Then, on May 21, 2022, Mbappé shocked the world. Leading up to PSG’s match against FC Metz at the Parc des Princes, reports started to come out that the 23-year-old had chosen to stay at PSG. Still, we waited for official confirmation from the club or the player himself.
Fans didn’t have to wait long for that confirmation. Prior to kickoff against Metz, Mbappé stood next to club president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, and announced his decision to stay at Paris Saint-Germain by holding a jersey with his last name and “2025” on the back, signaling that he had agreed to a three-year contract extension.
The stadium erupted in approval and chanted Mbappé’s name. After a season of disappointment and months of coming to terms that the hometown hero would eventually leave for a European rival, fans around the world felt as though this decision was ushering in a new era of PSG football.
With Mbappé at the helm of the sporting project, the necessary changes are sure to come. Leonardo, the club’s sporting director, is expected to depart as is manager, Mauricio Pochettino.
Once the leadership is sorted out, Mbappé can turn his attention to recruiting. Staring on the France national team has its advantages. Comprised of some of the best footballers in the world, Mbappé will be able to try and convince the likes of Aurélien Tchouaméni, Christopher Nkunku, Moussa Diaby, Paul Pogba, and Ousmane Dembélé to join him at Paris Saint-Germain. Some of those players, like Diaby and Nkunku, came up through PSG’s academy and likely won’t need much convincing to return.
When you look at PSG’s squad, there are very few holes in it. With a proper manager and a few additions to the midfield especially, Les Parisiens will have to be one of the favorites to win the UEFA Champions League next season. If Mbappé does bring that trophy to his home city, along with already being a FIFA World Cup winner, he will unquestionably go down as one of the best footballers to ever play the game.
