In the midst of turmoil on and off the field, Kylian Mbappé broke his silence on Sunday on Canal+, affirming that he was “not concerned” by the rape investigation revealed by the Swedish press, while proclaiming his “love ” for the French team.
The speech of the captain of the Blues, who accumulates sporting and non-sporting setbacks, was eagerly awaited. Mute since the start of the season and absent from the last two gatherings of the selection, the superstar chose the relaxed setting of the show “Clique”, hosted by Mouloud Achour on the encrypted channel, to explain his current difficulties.
This media counter-offensive by the Real Madrid striker began with a trailer of the interview, broadcast on Friday on social networks, in which Mbappé estimated that “at some point, we have to talk, we have to people hear you.”
The 2018 world champion, who will turn 26 on December 20, did not avoid any angry subject during a long interview of almost 50 minutes carried out in the Spanish capital. Saying he was “very happy in the new stage of his life” in Madrid and denying any depression, the player was quickly questioned about the rape accusations after his visit to Stockholm in October.
“I was surprised. I’m always surprised anyway. These are things that happen, that you don’t see coming. I received nothing, no summons. I read the same thing as everyone else. The Swedish government has not said anything, I am not concerned,” he replied, adding that he had “no idea” of the identity of the complainant.
“I will simply go,” he said, when asked what he would do in the event of a summons by the Swedish justice system.
“We must let it flow, let justice do its work and when it ends, everyone will settle their scores,” he continued.
On the other hand, he did not make a link this time between the outbreak of the affair and his financial dispute with PSG, from whom he is demanding 55 million euros in unpaid salaries and bonuses, as he had done since the October 14, after the first information appeared in the Swedish media. Mbappé then denounced on
The tone this time was much more conciliatory with the capital club, which he left with a bang last summer at the end of his contract after seven years of presence.
“The club meant a lot to me. It’s a super intense place, good and bad. I had seven extraordinary years. Maybe the mistake I made was that I mixed everything up. I had conflicts with people, I defended my rights as a player, but it didn’t represent the club. I never mixed everything up with the players, the staff,” he said. – he indicated, recognizing however that it could “have been more expressive” with the supporters.
“I have always kept this connection with PSG. It is a relationship that cannot be cut like that,” he even said, even affirming that his links with the Emir of Qatar, owner of the club, are “on top” despite his financial dispute with PSG.
Mbappé, whose motivation to wear the selection jersey may have been called into question in recent months, also took the opportunity to cut short criticism. After a failed Euro-2024, marked by his nose bill and a single goal scored from the penalty spot, the captain has not reappeared in blue since September, attending from afar the qualification of Didier Deschamps’ troops for the quarter-finals of the League of Nations.
“The French team has always been the highest grade in football. My love of the French team has not changed. Yes, I miss it, because it’s been a long time since I’ve been there” , declared the 2018 world champion.
“I did everything to represent the best possible. I gave my nose. (…) I concentrate on Real but I have never abandoned the France team”, he said .
