France President Macron Reveals Role In Mbappe's PSG Stay
France president Emmanuel Macron has opened up on the role he played in convincing Kylian Mbappe to remain at Paris Saint Germain.
Having requested a transfer to Real Madrid last summer, Mbappe shocked the football world when he made a u-turn to sign a three-year extension at the Parc des Princes last month.
With his contract expiring, Mbappe could have joined Los Blancos as a free agent but chose to remain in France.
Macron has revealed he held a private conversation with the 23-year-old World Cup winner to coax him into snubbing a move to Real Madrid.
"Yes, it is true that I had a conversation with Kylian Mbappe before he made a firm decision about his future," Macron told a press conference.
"In it, I merely advised him, in a totally informal way, to remain in France. I believe it is my responsibility, as president, to defend the country when asked in an informal and friendly manner."
He added: "I have never intervened in any transfer. Just like any other citizen, when it comes to sporting matters, I always want to see a good game and cheer on a team, especially, in my case, Olympique de Marseille."
Macron also weighed in on the disturbances that marred the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the Stade de France, where police clashed with some spectators.
"I sympathise with all those who could not get access to their seats despite having paid for their tickets, these people must be compensated as soon as possible," he said when quizzed on how supporters were treated.
"And I also want maximum transparency: I have asked the government to clarify what happened, to determine responsibilities and to explain everything down to the smallest detail to the French, the British, and the Spanish."
