CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress / ITDC News Bhopal: In a whirlwind twist of fate, French striker Kylian Mbappe announced that he will leave Ligue 1 champions PSG at the end of the 2023-2024 season.
The ground-breaking news comes mere days after the French club’s exit from the UEFA Champions League, as PSG fell to Borussia Dortmund 2-0 on aggregate in the semi-final of the esteemed competition.
“I wanted to announce to you all that it’s my last year at Paris Saint-Germain. I will not extend and the adventure will come to an end in a few weeks,” Mbappe said in a video posted on social media.
“It’s a lot of emotions. (For) many years I had the chance and great honour to be a member of the biggest French club, one of the best in the world which allowed me to travel here,” Mbappe added.
“It’s hard and I never thought it would be this difficult to announce that I will leave the country, France, the league and the Championship. But I think, I needed this, a new challenge after seven years.”
Mbappe ends his career with the French side as the club’s record goal-scorer, having netted 325 goals in 305 appearances.
The World Cup winner has also nabbed 12 major trophies with the Parisians, including 6 Ligue 1 titles.
Speculation is rife on where the Frenchman will end up, with most reports reflecting his interest in joining Los Blancos, Real Madrid, blossoming into reality this summer.
To add to the whole saga, according to earlier reports from Spanish media outlet Marca, it is believed that Mbappe has already agreed to a contract with Los Blancos, which will keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu till 2029.
Other rumours have arisen such as that of Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Perez, who has also reportedly told his players that Kylian Mbappe will be joining them next season.
Real have also reportedly gone out of their way to garner favour with the World-Cup winner, with other reports stating that Mbappe will inherit the cherished number 10 jersey upon joining their ranks.
Why are Real Madrid so desperate for Mbappe? Well, apart from the obvious fact that Mbappe has already etched his name amongst a pantheon of football greats at his young age with even more upside to be tapped into, they have been on the hunt for a proper classic number 9 and a goal-scorer since the departure of their Ballon d’Or winner, Karim Benzema who made his way to Saudi Arabia.
