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President Emmanuel Macron with Kylian Mbappe at the 2018 World Cup
Photo: O. Behrendt / Contrast / IMAGO
It remains to be seen whether French President Emmanuel Macron really played a decisive role in football star Kylian Mbappé staying with Paris Saint-Germain.
But at least Macron was apparently not completely uninvolved.
“Yes, I had a conversation with Kylian Mbappé just to advise him to stay in France.
Said in an informal and friendly way, the role of a president is to defend his country," Macron said in an interview (Saturday) he gave to several regional dailies, including Le Parisien-Aujourd'hui en France.
"But I can reassure you, I don't interfere with any transfers."
Macron is not a fan of the capital club at all, but of Olympique Marseille.
"I'm like any citizen when it comes to sport: I want to see a nice game and support a team, in this case Olympique Marseille," said the 44-year-old.
Mbappé also justified his contract extension with PSG with his roots in France.
"I'm French and I'm staying in France," said the 23-year-old.
He had previously confirmed that he had consulted with Macron about his future and appreciated his "good advice".
Mbappé had extended his contract with the Parisians until June 30, 2025, although it looked like a move to Real Madrid for a long time.
According to the Spanish media, the world champion is said to have received a bonus of up to 300 million euros.
In other media sums of 130 and 200 million euros are rumored.
"I am convinced that I can continue to grow at a club that offers everything necessary to perform at the highest level," said Mbappé.
Mbappé initially moved to Paris on loan from AS Monaco in 2017, and a year later the Qatar-financed club signed the striker for 145 million euros.
With PSG, Mbappé won the French league for the fourth time this season, but the long-awaited victory in the Champions League has not materialized so far.
In 216 competitive games for the club, the striker scored 168 goals and provided 87 assists.
Mbappé won the World Cup in Russia in 2018 with the French national team.
ara/dpa