EUROPE: France striker Kylian Mbappe says he will leave Paris St-Germain at the end of the season.
Mbappe, 25, announced the decision in a video released on his social media, external accounts.
“I’ve always said that I would speak with you when the time comes,” Mbappe said.
“It’s my last year at Paris St-Germain. I will not extend and the adventure will come to an end in a few weeks.”
Mbappe’s contract with PSG expires in June and BBC Sport reported in February that he has agreed a deal to join Real Madrid in the summer.
The World Cup winner is PSG’s record goalscorer with 255 goals and will play his final home game at the Parc des Princes against Toulouse in Ligue 1 on Sunday at 20:00 BST.
After that PSG have away fixtures at Nice (15 May) and Metz (19 May) before the French Cup final against Lyon at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille on 25 May.
Paris-born Mbappe, who joined PSG from Monaco for £165.7m in August 2017, said the club helped him “grow as a player” and “grow as a man as well”.
He added: “It’s a lot of emotions, many years where I had the chance and the great honour to be a member of the biggest French club, one of the best in the world.
“It allowed me to arrive here, to have my first experience in a club with a lot of pressure, to grow as a player of course, by being alongside some of the best in history, some of the greatest champions.
“It’s hard and I never thought it would be this difficult to announce that. But I think I needed this, a new challenge, after seven years.”
How have we got here?
Mbappe was set to leave PSG on a free transfer at the end of the 2021-22 season but ultimately signed a two-year contract extension, with the option of a further year.
However, after Mbappe told PSG he would not agree to the additional 12 months of the deal, he was not selected for their pre-season tour to Japan last July.
He subsequently refused to meet with representatives of Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, who made a world record £259m offer for him.
He later returned to first-team training following what PSG said were “very constructive and positive” talks.
Mbappe met PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi on 13 February and told him he was leaving and joining Real.
It was anticipated Mbappe would make an announcement over his future when it was no longer possible for PSG to meet Real in this season’s Champions League.
PSG suffered a 2-0 aggregate defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals earlier this week as Mbappe struggled to make an impact in both legs of the tie.
Mbappe acknowledged in his video message he was “not the most demonstrative player” and “hasn’t always lived up to the love” PSG fans gave him.
“PSG is a club that never leaves anyone indifferent. We can love it or hate it and I made the choice of loving it and I did for seven years,” Mbappe said.
“I do not regret, at any moment, signing with this prestigious club. It is a club I will keep in my memory my entire life.”
How will Mbappe fit in at Real?
BBC Sport understands Mbappe is set to sign a five-year deal with Real.
He is set to earn £12.8m (15m euros) a season, plus a £128m (150m euros) signing-on bonus to be paid over five years.
He will keep a percentage of his image rights.
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti, who guided the La Liga club to this season’s Champions League final at Wembley, has already thought how he will use Mbappe in his team.
England midfielder Jude Bellingham playing a deeper role, Brazilian Vinicius Jr playing on the left and Mbappe playing left of centre.
If Croatia midfielder Luka Modric leaves this summer, then Mbappe would inherit the number 10 shirt he wears for France.
Mbappe said the PSG he is set to leave behind is in “great hands”.
“Despite everything that can happen on the outside, there are some real club lovers who want to protect it and make it shine and it’s great,” he added.
“I won’t be a player any more but I will watch every game. I tried to give the best version of myself during those seven years.”
BBC
Comment