Mbappe bids PSG farewell, keeps fans guessing on next move in cryptic post

Kylian Mbappe announced on Friday that he will be leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of this season, with speculations pointing to Real Madrid as his probable next team. This decision concludes his fruitful stint with the club he joined from Monaco in 2017 for a transfer fee of 180 million euros ($194 million).

Mbappe, 25, shared this news through a social media video, stating, “It’s my last year at Paris Saint-Germain. I will not extend my stay, and this adventure will end in a few weeks.” He added that his final game at the Parc des Princes would be on the upcoming Sunday.

PSG, having clinched their 10th Ligue 1 title in the last 12 seasons, will celebrate this achievement post their final home game of the season against Toulouse.

The team was recently ousted from the Champions League by Borussia Dortmund, who secured a 2-0 aggregate win, ending PSG’s hopes for a Champions League title this season. This means Mbappe will depart PSG without securing a victory in Europe’s most prestigious club competition, a dream he has chased throughout his seven years with the club.

Mbappe had discreetly informed PSG of his decision to leave back in February when his contract ends this season, although he hadn’t publicly disclosed his plans to depart or his next destination until now. However, it is widely believed and reported by Spanish media that he has agreed to join Real Madrid in July after his PSG contract expires.

Reflecting on his tenure at PSG, Mbappe expressed, “It’s been an emotional journey. I’ve had the privilege to play for the biggest French club and one of the world’s best. This experience allowed me to develop under immense pressure, grow as a player, and play alongside some of the greatest in the sport.” He admitted finding it difficult to announce his departure but felt a new challenge was necessary after seven years.

Mbappe’s move to PSG in 2017, initially on loan, resulted in one of the highest transfer fees in football history, second only to Neymar’s transfer from Barcelona to PSG. Despite PSG’s dominance in French football since their Qatari takeover in 2011 and the addition of stars like Lionel Messi, the club has struggled to achieve European success. The closest they came was a loss to Bayern Munich in the 2020 Champions League final.

This week’s defeat in the Champions League means Mbappe won’t face his likely future team, Real Madrid, in this year’s final. Despite not scoring in the Dortmund match, Mbappe has had an impressive season, scoring 43 goals across all competitions, with 26 in Ligue 1.