Kylian Mbappe‘s departure from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid has been one of the most anticipated transfers in recent history. However, several PSG fans were upset by the way the player forced his move to Los Blancos, and this time, it was a former French president’s turn to address the topic.
“I can understand why he wanted to leave, I can understand his dream, but it’s harder for me to understand the way he did it. But it’s his choice,” said Nicolas Sarkozy, who didn’t hesitate to highlight that “the collective game takes precedence over the individual quality of the player.”
The French president from 2007 to 2012 is well-known as a fervent PSG fan. During his time as head of state, he facilitated Qatar’s involvement with the Parisian club in 2011.
In 2022, Sarkozy, alongside current president Emmanuel Macron, was one of the several key figures in persuading Kylian to sign a two-year contract extension with PSG. Now that the French superstar joined Real Madrid, the politician wasn’t convinced about his departure, especially after all the efforts PSG made to keep him.
Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes on September 19, 2023 in Paris, France.
Mbappe records with PSG
Despite his sudden departure, Mbappé’s performance in Paris allowed him to break a wide range of records. Leaving PSG at the age of 25, after just six years, he sits as the club’s all-time top scorer with 256 goals in 308 appearances.
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The French World Cup winner also set new standards in the Ligue 1: In the 2021/22 season, he became the first player to finish as both the top scorer and assist provider in the same season, and the only player to win the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award for five consecutive seasons.
