Kylian Mbappé’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires this summer. He’s already found a new home.
Kylian Mbappé has decided to leave PSG to join Real Madrid!! Information first revealed by @le_Parisien earlier today and now confirmed. Story here: https://t.co/sSILuwx75K @ESPNFC
— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) February 3, 2024
According to Le Parisien, the 25-year-old superstar has agreed to terms with Real Madrid, and will officially announce his move next week. The Spanish club has been courting the French international for years, including a proposed move that fell through in 2022.
While generally a star like Mbappé would seek to max out his earnings, he’s actually taking a pay cut to play for Real Madrid, his favorite childhood team.
Mbappé grew up idolizing players like Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo, which may be why he’s reportedly turning down a raise to stay with PSG, plus additional bonuses, for a salary that’s roughly half of what he was making with his old team.
He’s one of the best players in the world, scoring a goal in the World Cup Final win in 2018 as a teenager, then winning the Golden Boot and scoring a hat trick when France lost in the final in 2022. Mbappé has been the top scorer in French Ligue 1 five different times and won Player of the Year a record four times.
The only sticking point, besides the recent history of this move falling through, is Mbappé’s desire to play soccer in the Paris Olympics this summer. But all indications are that Real, who made Mbappé a contract offer last month, has finally landed the player they’ve pursued for so long.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!