PSG star striker Kylian Mbappé reaffirmed on Thursday that “staying at the club” was his “only option,” refusing to elaborate on the standoff with the Paris club and his refusal to extend his contract beyond 2024. “I have already answered, I said that my goal was to continue, to stay at the club, it’s my only option. I didn’t think a letter could kill or offend anyone,” said the 2018 World Cup champion regarding the letter sent to the Parisian leaders on Monday to notify them of his decision not to activate the option for an additional year at PSG.
Present as captain of the French team at the pre-match press conference against Gibraltar in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, Mbappé was also questioned about PSG’s reaction, which now says it is ready to sell him this summer if he persists in his desire not to extend his contract in Paris. The player responded that he was “not shocked.” “No, there’s not much that shocks me,” he said.
He also denied disrupting the gathering of the French national team by sending his letter four days before an international match. “I accept everything, people can talk, criticize, I understand,” he said. “Not everyone knows all the details. I know why I do what I do and say what I say. There’s no problem with that.”
“I have a responsibility as captain, it’s not a few rumors that will make me shirk that responsibility. It’s not my nature to flee,” he added. Mbappé was also asked about the reaction of Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday, with the French president assuring that he will “try to push” for him to stay at PSG. “He wants me to stay in Paris and my goal is to stay, so we are on the same page,” he responded.
