Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe admitted he was disappointed not to join LaLiga powerhouse Real Madrid after his failed off-season transfer.
With his contract expiring at the end of the 2021-22 campaign, Mbappe was heavily tipped to swap PSG for Madrid, who have made no secret of their admiration.
However, a transfer did not materialise as Ligue 1 giants PSG – still determined to re-sign the France international – refused to part with Mbappe.
Madrid are expected to sign Mbappe as a free agent at the end of the current campaign but the 22-year-old was asked about his frustration at the failed swich to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Disappointed with not leaving? A little, Mbappe told Amazon while speaking to France great Thierry Henry.
It s not easy, but whatever happened, I was going to play for a great club. I m Parisian, I feel great, but I wanted to discover something else.
Speculation had mounted about Mbappe s future at Euro 2020, when the forward missed the decisive spot-kick in France s last-16 penalty shoot-out defeat to Switzerland.
The highlights from (1-1)
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Mbappe failed to score at the Euros and provided one assist as world champions France fell well short.
During the Euros they asked me a lot of questions. I talked a lot with my parents, I knew I wanted to go out, Mbappe said. My parents told me to concentrate on the pitch. Maybe I was putting too much energy into other things.
Mbappe, who joined PSG from French rivals Monaco initially on loan in 2017, has won three Ligue 1 titles with the capital club.
PSG top Ligue 1 this season, boasting an 11-point advantage over Rennes after 17 rounds.
Despite PSG s lead, Mbappe, Neymar and off-season signing Lionel Messi are yet to fully play a cohesive attacking brand of football.
We are aware that the three of us must do more, we cannot hide, we assume it, Mbappe said.
If I am the boss? It is difficult when you are in a team with Neymar and Messi, it would be audacious to say it, although it matters little.
Mbappe has been involved in 15 goals this season in Ligue 1 (seven goals, eight assists), with only Bayern Munich s Robert Lewandowski (17), Madrid forward Karim Benzema (19) and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah (22) doing better in the top five European league.
In the 1-1 draw against Lens, Mbappe was decisive in coming off the bench for the first time in the top flight since 5 December 2020 (goal against Montpellier).
