Kylian Mbappe back at Parc des Princes for UNL game against Italy

French superstar Kylian Mbappe on Thursday attended team practice at the Parc des Princes, home stadium of his former club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), to prepare for the coming UEFA Nations League against Italy on Friday.

Mbappe has scored all-time-leading 256 goals and delivered 108 assists in 308 games for PSG in seven years, helping the club win six Ligue 1 championships and four Coupe de France titles among other trophies.

However, when Mbappe departed for Real Madrid in July, he and PSG didn't break up on the best terms. The club and many of their fans criticized him for his decision to leave.

"It's special, I spent a lot of years here. I have so many memories, it's the place I know best from my career at the moment," Mbappe said of returning to the Parc des Princes. "I have nothing but great memories here, with my family, with all the team-mates I've had, with the club, it's great. I don't expect much, I don't care. The most important thing is to win, to really get the new season off to a good start, to be able to start off on a positive note."

Back in July, France lost to Spain in the Euro 2024 semifinals in Germany. Mbappe described their campaign as a "failure". But now that campaign appears to be at the back of his mind.

"I am in a place where I have always wanted to be; last year, there was a bit of distance," the 25-year-old said. "All my career, I have hated losing. Last year, I just liked winning – now I am back in that mindset of hating failure."

Mbappe has so far made five appearances for Real and netted three times. When asked about his experience there, he said he's very happy in the club.

"I'm very happy to be in Madrid, it is going very well, we have already won a trophy," he told reporters. "In terms of performance, it is getting better and better, I have scored goals. I always arrive [to the France camp] with the same energy – wanting to help the French team as much as possible."