While a storm is brewing both on and off the field, Kylian Mbappé spoke on Sunday during an interview with Canal+, affirming that he is “not concerned” by the rape investigation revealed by the Swedish press, while expressing his “love” for the French national team.
The words of the captain of the Blues, who had to face a myriad of sporting and off-the-field problems, were eagerly awaited. After having remained silent since the start of the season and being absent from the last two international call-ups, the superstar chose the relaxed setting of the show “Clique”, hosted by Mouloud Achour on the pay television channel, to address his difficulties current.
This media counter-offensive by the Real Madrid striker began with a teaser of the interview, published on social networks on Friday, where Mbappé declared that “at some point, we have to speak, people have to hear you.”
Read more:
Antoine Griezmann’s last-minute heroics secure Atlético Madrid’s thrilling win over Sevilla
The 2018 world champion, who turns 26 on December 20, did not shy away from controversial topics during an exhaustive interview lasting around 50 minutes conducted in the Spanish capital. Declaring himself “very happy in this new stage of (his) life” in Madrid and denying any signs of depression, he was quickly confronted with rape allegations following his trip to Stockholm in October.
“I was surprised. I’m still surprised, actually. These are things that come out of nowhere. I haven’t received any summons. I’m reading the same thing as everyone else. The Swedish government has nothing “I’m not concerned,” he replied, adding that he has “no idea” who the complainant is.
“I will just go,” he said when asked what he would do if summoned by the Swedish authorities.
“We must let it happen, let justice do its work, and when everything is over, everyone will settle their scores,” he added.
Read more:
Vitamine Bellingham
– “I miss the French team” –
However, this time he has not established any link between the investigation and his ongoing financial dispute with PSG, who he claims owe him 55 million euros in unpaid salaries and bonuses, as he had made on October 14, after the first reports in the Swedish press. At that time, Mbappé had denounced on X “fake news (…) just before a hearing (before the Professional Football League, Editor’s note) by chance.”
This time, his tone was much more conciliatory towards the club, which he left explosively last summer at the end of his contract after seven years.
“The club has meant a lot to me. It’s a super intense place, both good and bad. I’ve had seven extraordinary years. Maybe the mistake I made was mixing everything up. I had conflicts with people, I defended my rights as a player, but it didn’t reflect on the club. I never mixed things up with the players or the staff,” he said. declared, acknowledging that it could have been “more expressive” with the supporters.
Read more:
Kylian Mbappé Discusses His Time at Real Madrid and Denying Depression
“I have always kept this attachment to PSG. It is a relationship that cannot be cut like that,” he even said, affirming that his links with the Emir of Qatar, owner of the club, are “ at the top” despite his financial conflict with PSG.
Mbappé, whose commitment to the national team has been questioned in recent months, also took the opportunity to shut down the criticism. After a disappointing campaign at Euro 2024, marked by a nose injury and a single penalty scored, the captain has not worn the blue jersey since September, following from afar the qualification of Didier Deschamps’ troops for the quarter-finals of the League of Nations.
“The French team has always been the pinnacle of football. My love for the French team has not failed. Yes, I miss it because it’s been a while since I was there,” said the winner of the 2018 World Cup.
