Launched as a sprinter, Kylian Mbappé faces an important moment in his career in 2022 with titles and awards and between the end of his contract with Paris SG, which allows him to negotiate with other clubs as of January 1, and the World Cup with France.
"He’s going to win a lot of Ballons d’Or", predicted Monaco coach Niko Kovac, who asserted that the 23-year-old forward is among "the top three players in the world today".
Questioning the level of the French attacker is no longer relevant, since ‘Kyky’ has agreed to everyone thanks to his great game displayed last season in the Champions League.
The hat-trick at the Camp Nou to defeat FC Barcelona (4-1) in February or the double under the snow in Munich in April (victory 3-2) enshrined his status as PSG’s best player in 2021.
The arrival of Lionel Messi in August has not hampered the progression of Mbappé who, over the last four months, has expanded his records by getting more assists.
Among all the competitions played this season, Mbappé has achieved 15 goals and 12 decisive passes.
Statistics "they are something that remains; later, to make history, I also believe that you have to create emotion"declared Mbappé on PSG TV.
From PSG to Real Madrid?
This is where doubts flow. In the last year, the number 7 has not received the collective results of his personal explosion, in a PSG that little enthusiasm in his game.
In May, ‘Kyky’ gave Lille the title of French champion, which they had won in the four previous editions, at the same time that they were eliminated in the semi-finals of the Champions League against Manchester City.
While the Parisian team is on track to regain the league crown, the search for its first European star remains blocked in the face of the difficult tie against Real Madrid in the round of 16, on February 15 and March 9.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino, like Mbappé himself, has promised to improve to a double match against one of the best teams in Europe.
"Individual goals are of course good, but if you don’t win, they are only worth half. So the goal is to win titles, that’s the most important thing"the player admitted.
Conquering the Champions League in May is of the utmost importance for Mbappé, since the final in Saint Petersburg, if PSG comes along, could be his last game with the blue and red jersey.
Hailing from Monaco in 2017, the attacker has so far not reached an agreement with the Parisian club to extend his contract that expires in June, exposing PSG to the risk of seeing him go free.
Real Madrid, who came to present an offer of around 180 million euros to sign Mbappé in August and which was rejected by PSG, seems to be a privileged destination for the player and his environment.
World Cup at the end of the year
"It is the experience of life that counts, more than money. I thirst above all for discoveries, for travel, for encounters with players, for different cultures", said Mbappé, in an interview with the weekly Paris Match, published on December 16.
These words have been interpreted by the Spanish press as a new sign of his imminent arrival, while FIFA rules allow the player to negotiate with other clubs as of January 1.
"The signing of the French is more than assured"wrote the newspaper As in early December.
At a press conference, Brazilian Casemiro and Frenchman Karim Benzema, as well as Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid, winked at the striker, but in Paris, the club remains hopeful of extending their contract.
"It is a very special situation because we are talking about the best player in the world who is reaching the end of his contract. I think we still have a good chance (of renewing him). I believe in that"PSG’s sports director, Brazilian Leonardo, told the Europa 1 station in mid-December.
Every day you can get away from Paris, but it brings you closer to new titles. At the end of 2022, from November 21 to December 18, the Qatar World Cup will be played, where the ‘Bleus’ will defend their title won in Russia.
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