REAL MADRID new boy Kylian Mbappe claims Paris Saint-Germain spoke to him “violently” to warn they’d never let him “set foot on the pitch again”.
The strike icon delivered an extraordinary verdict on his final season with PSG – while also hailing his “dream come true” of joining Real.
Mbappe says a stark face-to-face message left him “convinced” he’d be sent into exile by the French giants.
He believes he was only “saved” in his final Ligue 1 campaign by the support of PSG manager Luis Enrique and sporting director Luis Campos.
The 77-cap France hero, 25, told a press conference: “I approached the season with a different ambition because I always thought I wasn’t going to play.
“I was told to my face, I was spoken to violently, so I was convinced that I wasn’t going to play.
“Luis Enrique and Luis Campos saved me. Without them, I would never have set foot on the pitch again.
“That’s why my ambitions last season were different. It wasn’t as high in my standards, but just playing and winning trophies was my greatest pride.
“This has been the most difficult season and the one I’m most proud of. I haven’t been unhappy at PSG, to say that would be unfair.”
In contrast, Mbappe described his five-year deal with Real via a free transfer as “an immense pleasure, a dream come true. It’s very exciting”.
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The on-off move has complicated Mbappe’s last couple of years in Paris after he joined from Monaco in 2018.
But it always looked likely to end in his favour – with the lucrative switch to Spain he has now completed.
Mbappe added: “This is the club I’ve always dreamed of being at, so I want to thank them.
“It’s a great day for me but I have responsibilities as captain of France and this situation has overshadowed the national team.”
Indeed, Euro 2024 is less than a fortnight away.
And the man who netted a 2022 World Cup final hat-trick in vain emphasised his focus for now is totally on the tournament in Germany.
He said: “I know it’s not fair to journalists, but I’ll only answer questions about the national team.
“I want to protect my team, it’s been a long time since we won the European Championship, 24 years is too long.”
STAY in the know this summer with The Sun's transfer experts.
Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of French phenomenon Kylian Mbappe.
Chelsea have announced the appointment of Enzo Maresca as the club’s new head coach.
Manchester City are reportedly keen on tying Erling Haaland down to a new deal.
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