Launched like a sprinter, Kylian Mbappé is entering an important turn in his race for honors and rewards in 2022, between his end of contract at Paris SG, which allows him to negotiate with other clubs from January 1, and the World Cup. with the Blues.
“He’s going to win a lot of Ballons d’Or,” predicted Monaco coach Niko Kovac, saying the 23-year-old striker “belongs to the three best players in the world at the moment”.
The question of his level no longer arises, as “Kyky” has made everyone agree with great performances in the Champions League during the past year.
The hat-trick at Camp Nou, to defeat FC Barcelona (4-1) in February, or the double in the snow in Munich in April (3-2 victory), have consecrated his status as the best Parisian of 2021.
The arrival of Lionel Messi in August has not hampered the progress of Mbappé who over the past four months, has expanded his record by achieving more assists.
All competitions combined, this season, the native of Bondy has accumulated 15 goals and 12 club offerings.
The statistics, “it’s something that remains. After, to make history, I also think that we must create emotion,” said Mbappé, at the microphone of PSG TV.
– From PSG to Real? –
This is where doubts flow. Over the past year, the N.7 has not touched the collective dividends of his personal investment, within a hardly exciting PSG in the game.
In May, “Kyky” and his family gave Lille the title of champion of France, which they had won in the four previous editions. At the same time, PSG fell at the gates of the Champions League final against Manchester City.
Today, if the Parisians are off to regain their national crown, the quest for their first European star remains blocked by the prospect of the difficult round of 16 against Real Madrid (February 15-March 9).
Coach Mauricio Pochettino, like Mbappé himself, promise progress until this double confrontation against one of the best teams in Europe.
“Individual goals, of course that’s good, but if you don’t win you only half appreciate. So the goal is really to win titles, that’s the most important.” , admitted the player.
“I will give everything to win the Champions League, the championship and the Coupe de France,” said the striker in an interview with CNN this week.
Winning the C1 at the end of May is all the more important for him as the final in Saint Petersburg, if PSG were to reach it, could be his last match with the blue and red jersey.
Arrived in 2017 from Monaco, the center forward has so far not found an agreement with the club to extend his contract expiring in June, which exposes PSG to the risk of seeing him go free this summer. .
Real Madrid, which made an offer of some 180 million EUR last August to sign “Kyky”, refused by the Parisian management, seems to be a privileged destination for the player and his entourage.
– World at the end of the year –
French footballer Kylian Mbappe during the World Cup qualifying match between France and Kazakhstan on November 13, 2021 at Parc des Princes / AFP / Archives
“It’s the life experience that counts, more than brewing money. I am thirsty above all for discoveries, travel, meetings with players, different cultures …”, launched Mbappé , in an interview with the weekly Paris Match, published on December 16.
Such remarks have been interpreted by the Spanish press as a new sign of his imminent arrival, as Fifa regulations allow the player to negotiate with other clubs as of January 1. On CNN, Mbappé assured him that he would “finish the season” at PSG, “100%”.
At a press conference, Real Casemiro players and Karim Benzema, as well as Carlo Ancelotti, had previously multiplied the winks to the French. But in Paris, the club keeps the hope of prolonging it.
“It’s a very special situation because we are talking about the best player in the world who is coming to the end of the contract. I think we still have good possibilities (to extend him). I believe in it,” said the sporting director. Leonardo, on radio Europe 1, mid-December.
Tic, tac, tic, tac … Every day perhaps pushes Mbappé away from Paris, but brings him closer to new titles to win. At the end of 2022 (November 21-December 18), the World Cup will be played in Qatar, where the Blues will defend their title won in Russia.
For Mbappé the sprinter, finishing the race well next year will be as important as the start.
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