French striker Kylian Mbappe has revealed he held talks with Real Madrid before joining Paris Saint-Germain but now no longer dreams of a move to the Spanish champions.
Mbappe had reportedly been a target of Real after he helped fire Monaco to a first French league title in 17 years last season, but instead he joined Paris Saint-Germain in August on an initial loan deal that will become permanent for 180 million euros ($209 million) next year.
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“There were many rumours of a transfer, it’s true that we spoke, but I think that’s now in the past for me and for Real Madrid.
“I play for PSG now and I am going to defend these colours 100 percent,” he said in an interview published Wednesday in Spanish sports daily Marca.
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Mbappe, who turned 19 last week, said he wanted to play for PSG because Paris is his hometown.
“It is like a child from Madrid has the opportunity to play in his team and goes somewhere else, another country. No, I wanted to play for PSG and I am happy for now with how things are going,” he added.
“I have time, and as I have said I want to play in the best team in the world and PSG has everything to achieve this. If this team grows with me, there is no reason to leave.”
{{/usCountry}}“I have time, and as I have said I want to play in the best team in the world and PSG has everything to achieve this. If this team grows with me, there is no reason to leave.”
{{/usCountry}}Mbappe finished seventh behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the Ballon d’Or voting this month -- ahead of the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane and PSG team-mate Edinson Cavani.