Kylian Mbappe has claimed fans are lucky not to know what goes on behind the scenes in football, with the Real Madrid and France star stating that only his passion has stopped him from being ‘disgusted’ by the game.
The France captain has been among the sport’s leading names over the past decade since breaking through at Monaco, before starring at PSG and Real Madrid.
Mbappe had thrust himself into global stardom at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where as a 19-year-old he struck in the final as France won the tournament for the second time.
The forward, now 26, has been the subject of a transfer tug of war between PSG and Real Madrid in the past before finally sealing a move to the Spanish giants on a free in 2024.
The Real Madrid star has now opened up to French newspaper L’Equipe on the challenges of being a figure at the top of the sport, reflecting on the paranoia and vigilance required when being a prominent figure.
Mbappe, who earns a reported £12.8million a season, admitted the high profile status and financial rewards can be problematic.
Kylian Mbappe has admitted the world of football ‘would have disgusted me a long time ago’ if he did not have passion for the game
Mbappe rose to global stardom by helping France win the 2018 World Cup as a teenager
Mbappe has been involved in a legal dispute with former club PSG over unpaid wages
‘It’s our environment and we can’t change it. I’m fatalistic about what the world of football is, but not about what life is. Life is magnificent. Football is what it is,’ Mbappe said.
‘I like to say that people who go to the stadium are lucky enough to “just” come to see a show and not know what goes on behind the scenes.
‘Honestly, if I didn’t have this passion, the world of football would have disgusted me a long time ago.’
Mbappe has been embroiled in a €55million (£46m) legal dispute with PSG over unpaid wages and bonuses, while the reigning European champions claim his contract was ‘legally amended’ and that he reneged on commitments when he left the club to join Real Madrid on a free.
Earlier this summer, Mbappe reportedly dropped a harassment case against PSG over how he was treated when he revealed he would not be signing a new deal in the summer of 2023.
Mbappe claimed he has only brought his legal claim against PSG to received ‘what I’m owed, with the star stating he had initially been aware he was not being paid fully while at the club.
The forward suggested he has now been perceived as being an ‘ex who’s angry’ by pursuing the claim.
Mbappe had endured a difficult start to life at Real Madrid last year, after a rape investigation in Sweden mentioned his after an alleged attack took place at the hotel where he was staying. Mbappe immediately and fervently denied any involvement, as an investigation was launched into the alleged attack.
Mbappe revealed his sadness at being referenced in connection to a rape allegation in Stockholm last year, stating people ‘didn’t care’ about the potential victim when it emerged he was not involved
The forward referenced the importance of family – pictured with his mother Fayza Lamari and brother Ethan – as he admitted to paranoia and vigilance when building new relationships
Mbappe will captain France at next summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico
The forward told L’Equipe he had never been called by police and his name was never mentioned, while expressing his sadness that people ‘don’t care’ about the potential victim in the case.
When questioned by the French newspaper about his relationships and concerns about whether a partner would be with him for the ‘right reasons’, Mbappe admitted to having a degree of caution.
‘It comes down to the fine line between paranoia and vigilance. Some people want to harm you, but that’s not everyone.
‘You shouldn’t overthink it and just jump in. This applies to everyone. Are you married? How did you decide she was the one? You do everything you can to make it work, but how do you guess the obvious?
‘Life is a gamble. They often say that success comes to the bold, so you have to try. What’s hard in football can be facing the gaze of others.’
Mbappe is expected to be a leading figure in Real Madrid’s attempts to reclaim the LaLiga title and Champions League this season, having netted 44 times in 59 appearances during his debut season at the club.
The France captain, who has 52 goals in 92 matches for the national team, will then be tasked with spearheading their World Cup campaign in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.
