Is Kylian Mbappe losing his status as France’s Golden Boy?
NEW DELHI: Kylian Mbappe recently joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on a five-year contract, but his transition has been challenging. At 25, the French football star has faced multiple issues off the field.
Mbappe, who has been dealing with fitness problems, is involved in a financial dispute with PSG.
He claims PSG owes him 55 million euros ($60 million) in unpaid wages and bonuses from the previous season.
Additionally, Mbappe is reported to be a suspect in a rape investigation in Sweden. He has dismissed these allegations as “fake news.” The Swedish prosecutor confirmed the investigation without naming him.
Mbappe has taken the financial dispute with PSG to a French league committee. He suggests a link between the rape report and his ongoing legal battles with PSG, writing on X: “It’s becoming so predictable, on the eve of the hearing, as if by chance.”
Mbappe rose to fame as a teenager at Monaco and later became PSG’s all-time top scorer.
In March 2023, he was appointed captain of the French national team by coach Didier Deschamps. Due to a thigh injury, Mbappe was rested for France’s UEFA Nations League matches this month.
Deschamps defended the decision, stating, “We need to put the player’s interests first, without putting him into difficulty.”
Mbappe’s strained departure from PSG, where he was sidelined after declaring his intention to leave, may have affected his performance in the European Championships.
He scored only one goal, a penalty, for France before they exited in the semi-finals.
While Mbappe has scored seven goals in his first 11 matches for Real Madrid, he is still adjusting to his new club.
His reception in France has changed, as evidenced by the boos from Lille supporters during a Champions League match. This contrasts with the warm welcome he received after the last World Cup.
Agencies
