"I never told PSG I wanted to be sold to Madrid": Mbappe

With the return of summer comes the return of the transfer window and another Mbappe saga. Just when it all seemed like it would be a calm summer, 'L'Equipe' published information about Mbappe's refusal to renew his contract with PSG until 2025, and it caught like wildfire.
Quickly, Real Madrid returned to the scene just a year after the French star decided to stay at the Parc des Princes and leave Madrid and Florentino Perez, with whom he even reached a verbal agreement in January 2022.
The scenario is quite different now, as the Parisian team are now open to selling their star player. Amid all the commotion over his future, the France international gave an interview to 'La Gazzetta dello Sport' in which he spoke about his decision.
"I didn't say I wanted to be sold to Real Madrid or that I wanted to leave, only that I won't activate the option of the extra year (until 2025). With PSG there has never been talk of a renewal and I am happy to continue for another year," explained the French striker.
Then, the '7' was asked about his already former teammate Leo Messi and said that "he is one of the best players in the history of football". He also stressed that "it's never good news when someone like Messi leaves".
"I don't quite understand why so many people were so relieved to see him go. He didn't get the respect he deserved in France," Mbappe added about the Argentinian star and his departure for MLS side, Inter Miami.
"At the highest level, for a player like me, the goal is to win all the titles. We knew there were shortcomings that sooner or later you end up paying for. You have to learn from the mistakes of each season so as not to repeat them every time," he said, regarding the Champions League eliminations.
He then compared PSG with France: "The national team and the club are different situations. In France, we are fortunate to have an incredible pool of talent, so when an important player drops out, there are those who can make up for it. This has allowed us to put the final we lost to Argentina behind us. We are disappointed, but we have a four-year cycle ahead of us. At PSG there are other club matters, it's another thing."
"Everyone wants to win the Champions League, but you have to be demanding all the time, otherwise there is always a team that reminds you not to take anything for granted. Not many people thought Inter could reach the final and instead they almost won it. You have to work hard to be better than the others," he said.
He was also asked about another recent issue: "We need to start leaving the field when incidents of racism occur. Complaints are not enough. With Vinicius, it was great to see how the Brazilian Federation came out to defend him."
Finally, he remembered Berlusconi and Milan: "My condolences to the family, it is a great loss for football. He was an emblematic president who created a great Milan that made me dream as a child. I hope the fans will pay him a worthy tribute".
"My connection with Milan is special. As a kid I had an Italian nanny and I spent a lot of time with her family, all Milan fans. So thanks to them I also cheered for the 'rossoneri' and watched a lot of Milan games," he said.