'He was by my side' - Kylian Mbappe admits 'it wasn't easy' to leave PSG for Real Madrid but reveals how president Florentino Perez convinced him to make long-awaited move

Perez’s pursuit of Mbappe has been one of the most talked-about sagas in football. Twice before, the club attempted to bring the prolific forward to Madrid, only to be rebuffed — once when he was still a teenager at Monaco, and again in 2022 when he decided to extend his stay with PSG. And after years of anticipation and speculation, Mbappe was finally unveiled at the Santiago Bernabéu in the summer of 2024, marking the start of a new era both for him and for Los Blancos.

Mbappe revealed that despite those setbacks, the Real Madrid president never allowed the rejection to sour their relationship. In fact, it was quite the opposite.

Speaking to journalist Ana Pastor on La Sexta TV, Mbappe said: "It wasn’t easy. But with the president, I always had a good relationship. Even when I stayed in Paris, he was there for me. He showed affection to me and my family, and that makes the difference. I respect him deeply. I always tell him I’ll give everything for the club and for him so that the Madrid fans are proud.”

Since donning the famous white kit, Mbappe has hit the ground running. The French national team captain has already notched 33 goals in his first season - a remarkable start to his life as a ‘Galactico’. He has become an integral part of Carlo Ancelotti’s attacking arsenal, leading the charge as the club aims for a historic treble.

The journey doesn’t get easier from here. Mbappe and his teammates are preparing for a domestic showdown against Valencia at the Bernabéu - a crucial fixture in the Liga title race. But perhaps even more eagerly anticipated is the upcoming Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash against Premier League heavyweights Arsenal in London on April 8.