Kylian Mbappe explains how Luis Enrique 'saved him' after being told 'quite violently' he would never play for PSG again

Before the 2023-24 campaign, Mbappe dropped a bombshell by informing PSG that he wouldn’t renew his contract and would leave on a free transfer at the end of the season. The club’s response was swift and brutal: he was sidelined from the first-team set-up and excluded from the pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea as they tried to coerce him to sign an extension.

Nonetheless, Mbappe was resolute in his decision and did not buckle under pressure from the club management. Hence, as the Ligue 1 season kicked off, Mbappe remained at PSG but was conspicuously absent from the pitch in their campaign opener against FC Lorient. However, after the Parisians dropped points he was reintegrated into the squad with sporting director Luis Campos and Enrique playing pivotal roles.

During an interaction with reporters, Mbappe said: "I was made to understand that I would no longer play for PSG [after informing them of my desire to leave at the end of the season]. I was told right to my face, and quite violently, so I was convinced that I wasn’t going to play. Luis Enrique and Luis Campos saved me. Without them, I would never have stepped onto the pitch again. That’s why my ambition was different this year. It was below my standards but just playing, stringing together matches and winning trophies was my biggest pride but next season, I won’t settle for a season like that."

Mbappe completed his dream transfer to Real Madrid as a free agent on Monday but will have to wait for some time before he dons the iconic white jersey as he is currently preparing for the European Championship with the French national team. He will be in action with Les Bleus on Wednesday evening in a preparatory friendly against Luxembourg.