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Since the start of the season, PSG has been playing without Kylian Mbappé. Arriving in the capital in 2017 from AS Monaco, the French football prodigy had a great stint at the Parc des Princes. In seven years in Paris, Mbappé failed to win the Champions League but managed to become the top scorer in the history of the Parisian club. In addition to his numerous sporting prowess, his time on the banks of the Seine will also have been tarnished by several events which contributed to the bitterness felt by several PSG fans towards him.
Within these numerous controversies, the negotiations, each longer than the other, around its extension. While he joined Real Madrid this summer, the captain of the France team was close to joining the White House on numerous occasions during his stay in Paris. Between real interest and a way of raising the stakes with Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the line is often fine. By 2022, this tension had reached its peak. Very close to freely joining Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé finally stayed at PSG for two additional seasons following the incredible efforts made by the Ile-de-France management. Sacrifices criticized by many
Leonardo wanted to sell Kylian Mbappé at the end of the 2020-2021 season
And while the future has finally proven them right, tongues are loosening around this permanent soap opera. This Monday, Leonardo was questioned by Le Figaro. Sports director of Paris Saint-Germain between 2019 and 2022, the Brazilian leader left after this new tumultuous summer. In this interview, the former midfielder explained in particular that he was opposed to this extension. Better yet, he reveals that he even wanted to sell Kylian Mbappé at the end of the 2020-2021 season: “I was against it, at the level that was done. Always. From the start. I even think he was supposed to be sold at the end of the 2020-2021 season, when PSG had an offer from Real Madrid and he only had one year left on his contract.»
Not hesitating to say what he thinks, the former Inter Milan coach even explained that he found this contract extension to be a lack of respect towards the institution that is PSG: “how is it manageable afterwards? If you lose a player, it’s annoying, but the club is not going to die. What great institution collapsed by losing a player? None. It may take a while, but you always get back up. I was a player, but nothing can ever be more important than a club.» The message got through.
Written by:
Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team.
 
 As an author for the website, Manu's expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers.
 
 When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans. Feel free to follow Manu on Twitter and interact with him as he shares his expert opinions, insights, and love for French football.
