Kylian Mbappe has broken his silence as to why he chose to stay at Paris Saint-Germain instead of joining UEFA Champions League finalists Real Madrid as many thought he would.
The 23-year-old was widely expected to leave the Ligue 1 champions for Los Blancos upon the expiry of his existing contract on 30 June.
According to Sky Sports, the LaLiga champions had offered the forward a signing-on fee of £110 million (R2.1 billion) and wages of £20 million (R396 million) a year after tax.
Despite that lucrative offer, though, Mbappe decided to extend his stay in Paris until 2025, with the France star reportedly set to earn close to £1 million (R19 million) a week on his new deal.
After making the much-anticipated decision, the PSG superstar has since explained why he chose to stay in Ligue 1.
“I would also like to sincerely thank Real Madrid and its president Florentino Perez,” Mbappe wrote in a statement posted on his official social media accounts on Saturday, per Marca.
“I recognise the luck and privilege of being desired by such a great institution. I understand your disappointment, it lives up to my doubts. I will be your first fan in the final of the Champions League, in Paris, my home.
“I am very happy to be able to continue progressing in France, the country that has seen me born, grow and fulfil myself. And that gives me the opportunity to continue pursuing my dreams.
“I am convinced that I can continue to grow here within a club that has the means to achieve its objectives.
“I want to thank president Nasser al Khelaifi for their trust, their listening and their patience. I also have in my mind all the PSG fans, in France and around the world, for their innumerable expressions of affection, especially in recent months.
“From a very young age, instead of dreaming in life, I have preferred to live my dreams. It is both a choice, a principle and a privilege. From a very young age, I try to move forward, from challenge to challenge.
“From a very young age, I build myself a path to the top, whatever it may be, but always on guard to respect a line of conduct in all areas.
“From a very young age, I have been inspired by the same passion and same motivation. This sometimes causes incomprehension, but I assume this sincerity that goes with my education.
“Today, I want to announce that I have decided to extend my contract with PSG.”
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