France forward Kylian Mbappe has announced he will leave Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the end of the season.
Mbappe announced his PSG exit via a video shared on his social media accounts on Friday night after it was revealed in February he would be leaving the French champions.
The 25-year-old forward, who is out of contract this summer, is expected to join Real Madrid.
Mbappe, who is PSG’s all-time leading scorer with 255 goals, said: “I wanted to speak to you. I’ve always said that I would speak with you when the time comes, and so 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.
“I will play my last game at the Parc des Princes on Sunday. It’s a lot of emotion; many years where I had the chance and the great honour to be a member of the biggest French club – one of the best in the world – which allowed me to arrive here, to have my first experience in a club with a lot of pressure; to grow as a player of course, by being alongside some of the best in history – some of the greatest champions; to meet a lot of people, to grow as a man as well, with all the glory and the mistakes I’ve made.”
The World Cup winner also hinted at a move to Real Madrid after the France international revealed he will leave the country for the next step of his career.
PSG eye Osimhen as Mbappe’s replacement
“It’s hard, and I never thought it would be this difficult to announce that, to leave my country, France, Ligue 1, a championship I have always known, but I think I needed this – a new challenge after seven years,” Mbappe added.
PSG and Real Madrid still need to negotiate whether Mbappe will leave for a fee or sacrifice his own earnings. PSG have Mbappe’s word that he will never leave on a free transfer, according to Sky Sports.
Real Madrid hold a long-term interest in the 25-year-old forward, who would have to take a pay cut to join the Spanish side, even though they are prepared to make him the highest-paid player in their history.
PSG turned down a €220 million (£188 million) offer for Mbappe from Real Madrid in August 2021. The forward then chose to sign a new three-year deal with PSG that expires this summer.
PSG had accepted €300 million (£256 million) from Saudi club Al Hilal last summer, which Mbappe turned down.
Mbappe will play his final home game at the Parc des Princes against Toulouse in Ligue 1 on Sunday.
Luis Enrique’s side, who have already wrapped up the Ligue 1 title, then have two away league games at Nice on May 15 and Metz on May 19.
Mbappe’s final PSG game will be the French Cup final against Lyon in Lille on May 25, where he has the chance to claim a 12th major honour with the club before departing.
- NEC gives Abuja, Kwara, others one-week ultimatum to submit positions on state police - November 21, 2024
- Gunmen kill lawyer in Benue - November 21, 2024
- Atiku: Tinubu’s loans bone-crushing to Nigerians - November 21, 2024
