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Explained: Why Kylian Mbappe is meeting French president Emmanuel Macron & the Emir of Qatari at Elysee Palace - with PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi also in attendance

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  • Macron invites Mbappe to dinner
  • Al-Khelaifi also in attendance
  • Evening held for Emir of Qatar
  • Macron Mbappe 2Getty Images

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    The mercurial Frenchman looks to be heading out the exit door at the Parc des Princes this summer, with a move to Real Madrid all but sealed after years of rumours. Le Parisien writes that President Macron, who is no stranger to stepping in to matters at the capital club, has invited Mbappe to Paris' Elysee Palace alongside club chief Al-Khelaifi. But the nature of the visit owes to the presence of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

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  • THE EXPLANATION

    According to the report, Macron has organised a meal on Tuesday in honour of Sheikh Tamim, with Mbappe and Khelaifi asked to join. Le Parisien notes that other PSG team-mates may also be in attendance. Sheikh Tamim's presence has been requested by Macron to broker negotiations regarding the ceasefire and release of hostages in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Neither Mbappe nor Khelaifi will be present for such talks, as they are simply in attendance for the meal set up by Macron.

  • 20240218_Mbappe(C)Getty images

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Macron has been open in the past in wanting to keep Mbappe at the Paris club, stating that he would "try and push" for the Frenchman to sign a new contract. However, his attempts - if any were made - have proved fruitless, with the 25-year-old set to leave the Parc des Princes after seven years and embark on a new challenge as a 'Galactico'. Mbappe reportedly turned down a £188m ($238m) offer from PSG in order to do so.

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Tuesday evening won't be Mbappe's first appearance at Paris' Elysee Palace. Le Parisien notes that the French forward attended a meeting there after France's triumphant 2018 World Cup run, and he even met both Macron and Sheikh Tamim in February 2018 after George Weah was elected president of Liberia.

  • Kylian Mbappé Luis Enrique PSG 2024Getty

    WHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE?

    Before his next adventure in the Spanish capital, Mbappe will no doubt attempt to finish this season in the strongest way possible with his current employers. PSG, meanwhile, may begin preparations for life without their star forward, as manager Luis Enrique alluded to in a recent press conference explaining his substitution.