Kylian Mbappé tells CNN Sport why he stayed with Paris Saint-Germain – and he knows where he stands
The latest in a long line of sports stars to turn down the chance to play for the Paris Saint-Germain side, Mbappé has told CNN Sport why he chose to remain at the club he supported at the youth level, even after signing for the Qatar-based side.
He spoke from Paris, where the French city has celebrated a year since the club last made the final of the Champions League.
Mbappé’s decision to take the Paris job came about after PSG had reached the semi-finals of the French Ligue 1, the top flight of football in France, and the club offered him a contract.
Paris Saint-Germain’s sporting director said the move was about opportunity, not money – he also explained how Mbappé was offered the PSG job before his transfer to the Paris side was official.
The 29-year-old said he knew he was taking up a challenge.
“There is nothing to lose, so you have to take the opportunity,” he told CNN. “It is a dream come true. It is a dream to play at the highest level.
“I said yes to the Paris job, because I knew that PSG was an opportunity. I had my first contract with PSG in 2015 and I have to thank and congratulate Paris for all the things that they have done to ensure that I became a professional footballer.”
The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner has said the club were the first team he wanted to play for, even if they did not win the French title.
He said: “PSG made me believe that I can play at the very highest level. They allowed me to play at my highest level, the highest level of football.
“There were no questions asked and PSG gave me the opportunity. That is the biggest reason I chose PSG. I will play for the first team of Paris because PSG made me believe that I can play at the very highest level. They allowed me to play at my highest level, the highest level of football.”
Paris Saint-Germain and Mbappé know each other well from his youth – the midfielder said they met when he was 13-17, and he played