Emmanuel Macron has all-but confirmed Kylian Mbappe’s transfer to Real Madrid – as he begged them to allow him to play in the Olympics.
The French President is desperate for his country’s star player to feature for Les Bleus’ national team in the upcoming Paris Games this summer.
Mbappe looks set to join Real Madrid once he leaves Paris Saint-GermainCredit: Getty
Mbappe announced on Friday night that he would be departing Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season on a free transfer after deciding against penning a new deal.
It is understood that the 25-year-old, who is France’s skipper, has verbally agreed to join Los Blancos, where he stands to earn £13million-a-year in Spain.
And that transfer has now seemingly been ratified by Macron in a video the politician posted on X.
In the upload shared online, Macron has urged Real to allow Mbappe to play in Olympics, which would affect his pre-season preparations at his new club.
Real have already written to the French Football Federation that they will not allow any of their players to represent the nation at the tournament.
But Macron is hoping that a direct message to the Champions League finalists will help change their mind.
Addressing viewers’ questions in the clip, Macron said: “I am counting on Real Madrid to release Kylian for the Olympic games so that he can come and play with the French team.”
Speaking earlier this week, Macron echoed similar thoughts, as he remarked: “Will Mbappe play with France at the Olympics? I hope.
Macron has urged Real Madrid to allow Mbappe to play in the Olympics this summer Credit: @EmmanuelMacron
“In any, case I have put the maximum pressure on his so-called future club.”
Mbappe will be representing France at the European Championship in Germany, which runs from June 14-July 11.
And should he be allowed to take part in the Olympics, he could then potentially be involved from July 24-August 9.
With the new football season also kicking off in August, Mbappe’s potential involvement would likely see him miss the start of next season, with the player to require a well-earned rest.
Mbappe himself appears keen on playing in the Olympics.
“I’ve always had the ‘Olympic flame’,” he said. “Along with the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games are the biggest sports event in the world.
“The Games in Paris, 100 years after [the last time they were held in the city]… mean the world to me. The idea of competing at the Games with France would be an extraordinary opportunity. It’s actually more of a dream than an opportunity.”