Kylian Mbappe has spoken to Spanish media for the first time since joining Real Madrid on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
The French superstar revealed that choosing Madrid over PSG was a no-brainer – a simple decision taken out of passion rather than making bank.
PSG were desperate to hang on to their talisman and were willing to pull out all the stops.
They reportedly tabled an earth-shattering contract worth around €250 million per year, but Mbappe couldn’t pass on the chance to play for Los Blancos.
In an interview with La Sexta, the 26-year-old striker explained that despite turning down a massive financial offer from PSG, he had no doubts about signing for Madrid.
Mbappe signed a five-year deal with Madrid, taking home €32m a year.
While he pocketed a signing-on fee believed to be around €100m, it pales in comparison to the mammoth offer PSG made.
“The only thing that I wanted was to play here, at the Bernabeu, with this shirt, with the fans chanting my name, scoring goals and being happy,” Mbappe said.
“I wanted to play for Real Madrid and it wasn’t a difficult decision to choose between Real Madrid and money.
“For sure, money is important to take care of my family but for me, the most important thing is being happy.”
Mbappe’s comments led many to believe he was aiming a dig at his former employers, given the long-drawn-out financial dispute between both parties over alleged unpaid wages and bonuses.
The France international then took to social media to shut down those rumours.
“No connection to PSG,” Mbappe wrote on X. “The question was about the next step and the choice, for example, of Saudi Arabia or a club like Real.”
Mbappe will be hoping to steer Los Blancos to success this season, with a treble still up for grabs.
They’re locked in a La Liga title race with fierce rivals Barcelona, who hold a four-point lead at the summit with eight games remaining.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are also in the Champions League quarter-finals and have an El Clasico date with Barca in the Copa del Rey final.
