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Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466
Kylian Mbappe of France looks on after the FIFA World Cup final loss to Argentina at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, December 18, 2022. /CFP
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday called on Real Madrid to allow Kylian Mbappe to play at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games that will begin on July 26.
Mbappe confirmed on Friday that he will leave Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after the 2023-24 season. There have been a series of reports about him joining Real.
"I have no particular comment to make other than the fact that I am counting upon Real Madrid to free up Kylian for the Olympic Games so he can play with the French team," Macron said in a video posted on X.
French President Emmanuel Macron (R) gives Kylian Mbappe of France the Golden Boot award after the FIFA World Cup final loss to Argentina at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, December 18, 2022. /CFP
Mbappe said more than once before that he wanted to compete on behalf of France at the Olympic Games in Paris. His country won the men's football gold medal at the Olympics in Los Angeles, California, in 1984. However, they only qualified for the Games twice since then and their best record was reaching the quarter finals in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia. Back in 2021 in Tokyo, France failed to make it out of the group stage.
Mbappe has scored 255 goals and delivered 108 assists in 306 appearances for PSG since he joined the club in 2017. They won six Ligue 1 titles and three Coupe de France trophies among other honors. Mbappe also won the FIFA World Cup championship with France in Russia in 2018.
"All I can say is marvelous things about Kylian Mbappé as a footballer and person," PSG's manager Luis Enrique told reporters on Saturday. "I understand his decision. He has been here for seven years and as a club legend. He has given everything to this club, and this club has given him everything as well. I wish him all the best for the future."
Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain runs after the ball in the second-leg game of the UEFA Champions League semifinals against Borussia Dortmund at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, May 7, 2024. /CFP
Carlo Ancelotti, manager of Real, preferred not to be distracted by the possibility of Mbappe joining the La Liga heavyweights, especially before facing Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final on June 1 for what would be their 15th European trophy.
"It's a subject I'm not thinking about at the moment. We have a lot of things to do: today we played, tomorrow we celebrate. And then we have a lot of games," Ancelotti said. He also refused to comment on Macron's remarks: "I can't comment on what the president of France says, I don't have the right to do so."