Ligue 1 English

‘I never asked to leave!’ – Kylian Mbappe issues strong denial over reports he demanded to leave PSG in January

Paris Saint-Germain dynamo Kylian Mbappe has vehemently denied asking to leave the Parc des Princes club, insisting he was ‘just as shocked as everyone else’ over reports he has demanded to leave in January.

Widespread reports in France and Spain last week brandished the furore that the 23-year-old forward is adamant to leave the French capital for either his old suitor Real Madrid or Liverpool. These reports further claimed Mbappe ‘feels betrayed’ over various promises made by the club’s hierarchy, including those over new signings in the summer window and his own role in the team.

However, the Parisian ace spoke to clarify issues after PSG’s 1-0 win over Marseille on Sunday night, insisting there is no truth to the reports and that he is ‘very happy’ at his current club.

“I’m very happy. I never asked for my departure in January,’ Mbappe told RMC Sport of the reports that emerged just hours before the midweek Champions League clash against Benfica.

“I was just as shocked as everyone else. There are people who may think I’m involved in this, but I’m not involved, I was taking a nap.

“My entourage was at my little brother’s game, all the people who take care of me weren’t there so we were flabbergasted when we heard about it.

“Afterwards, we had to deal with it, there was a game to play. Just to say that it is completely wrong and I am very happy”.

Mbappe had unexpectedly spurned the chance to join Real Madrid on a free transfer to sign a new three-year deal with PSG in an astonishing turnaround in the summer.

The celebrated France international has scored 12 times in 14 appearances this season, providing his first assist of the campaign to set up the winner from Neymar in Sunday’s Ligue 1 win.

“I am a football player, the most important thing for me is to play and give my best on the pitch,” Mbappe said.

“When you play at PSG, you know what you’re getting into, what it’s going to involve for good and for bad.

“You have to be ready. Those who come here know, we warn them. We are in the middle of it at the moment but we are focused on winning matches and titles.”