'I'm very excited' - Kylian Mbappe hints at impending Real Madrid transfer as French forward insists he's leaving PSG with 'head held high' despite Champions League failure

The 2018 World Cup winner has already announced that he is not going to continue at Paris Saint-Germain beyond the summer, bringing an end to a seven-year stint at the Parc des Princes. Mbappe has won several accolades during his tenure with the Parisians and was recognised as the Ligue 1 Player of the Season for the fifth successive time for his goal-scoring exploits in 2023-24, which have propelled his side to another league title.

Despite winning several domestic titles with PSG, Mbappe once again fell short of guiding them to European glory after falling to beat Borussia Dortmund in the last four of the Champions League. Nonetheless, he claimed to be proud of his achievements with PSG and is "excited" to embark on a fresh challenge - which is most likely to be with the champions of Spain.

Speaking at the UNFP (French Players’ Union) awards, Mbappe said: “A page is turning. A chapter in my life is closing. You can prepare all you want, but when the time comes, it still means something. Ligue 1 has always had a special place in my life. I have always honoured and tried to be a worthy representative of the league, to bring it to the top level.

"I’ll leave with my head held high, having done everything I could but I couldn’t have done it without the clubs that I played for, firstly AS Monaco and then of course PSG. I’m going to miss it. A page is turning in my life. I’m very excited by what is to come but that is something else. Today, I am here to say thank you and repay the trust that I have been shown. It has been a long path and I am very happy to have played a part in the league’s history."

Mbappe could reportedly be unveiled as a Real Madrid player after the Champions League final on June 1. However, he remained tightlipped when asked about his next club at the end of the award show.

"Now is not the time. There’s a right time for everything," he said.

The French forward will return to action with PSG against Nice on May 16 and will follow it up with a trip to Metz on Sunday evening. He will play his last game in PSG colours against Lyon on May 25 in the French Cup final.