PSG warn rival clubs: Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are not for sale
Brazilian superstar Neymar has been linked with Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has warned interested clubs that star strikers Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are not for sale.
Brazilian forward Neymar, who signed for PSG from Barcelona in a world-record transfer in 2017, has been recently linked with a return to Spain with Real Madrid but Al-Khelaifi has ruled out any move for the 27-year-old.
Speaking to Spanish newspaper Marca, Al-Khelaifi said: “Neither Real Madrid, nor any other club in the world, needs to call us about Neymar or any other player.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“Real Madrid know perfectly well that Neymar is not for sale and that the player won’t leave PSG this summer. We have a fantastic relationship with Neymar and his father and it is built to last a long time.”
Mbappe a PSG legend
After scoring twice in PSG’s 3-0 win against Nimes at the weekend Neymar’s strike partner Mbappe has now reached 50 career goals in Ligue 1. His double has helped PSG extend their lead at the top of the French top flight to 17 points.
Mbappe, a Fifa World Cup winner with France last year, has now scored 27 goals in 31 games this season and despite only being 20 years old the former Monaco man is “already a PSG legend” says Al-Khelaifi.
“What he has done at just 20 years of age, having won a World Cup and become one of the five best players in the world alongside Neymar, is exceptional,” the PSG chief added. “In Paris, everyone loves him, he is at home and he knows that he has everything he could want to make history at PSG.
“He has the ability to make the Parc des Princes dream and all of the young people who love sport. The relationship between PSG and Mbappe is long-term because there is a very strong mutual trust.”
Rivals should be worried
When asked about rival clubs’ interest in the talented duo Al-Khelaifi said it’s not PSG who should be worried by the speculation.
He said: “They [the rival clubs] should be the ones that are worried because the best players in the world of tomorrow live in Paris, a city they love, and they play for PSG, Europe’s most modern club, which fits their ambition and their image.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 contentious cartoons about Matt Gaetz's AG nomination
Cartoons Artists take on ethical uncertainty, offensive justice, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Funeral in Berlin: Scholz pulls the plug on his coalition
Talking Point In the midst of Germany's economic crisis, the 'traffic-light' coalition comes to a 'ignoble end'
By The Week UK Published
-
Joe Biden's legacy: economically strong, politically disastrous
In Depth The President boosted industry and employment, but 'Bidenomics' proved ineffective to winning the elections
By The Week UK Published
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
Why everyone's talking about A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
2022 World Cup final: Argentina vs. France prediction, preview, team news
feature Mbappé and Messi will go for glory, the golden boot, golden ball, and PSG bragging rights
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
‘Operation stop Mbappé’: how Kyle Walker can be England’s ‘secret weapon’ against France
feature Three Lions prepare to go head-to-head with the World Cup holders
By Mike Starling Published
-
Kylian Mbappé: world’s best football player ‘lights up’ the World Cup again
feature PSG star could make the difference in France’s quest to retain the trophy
By Mike Starling Published
-
2022 Uefa Champions League final: Liverpool vs. Real Madrid preview, predictions and TV
feature Everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s showpiece in Paris
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Karim Benzema: Panenkas, hat-tricks and a Ballon d’Or?
Why Everyone’s Talking About Real Madrid’s French striker was sensational yet again in the Champions League
By Mike Starling Published
-
Champions League: ‘what a night, what delirium’ as Real Madrid knock out Chelsea
feature Karim Benzema’s extra-time header puts Real through after a stirring comeback from holders Chelsea
By Mike Starling Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published