Mbappe ‘lost his identity’ and should have joined Real Madrid, claims Zlatan
Suraj Radia
- 3 Nov 2022 15:56 GMT
- 3 min read
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has criticised Kylian Mbappe for the way he handled his summer transfer saga, claiming the Paris Saint-Germain forward lost his identity by turning down Real Madrid.
Mbappe had agreed to join Real in the summer but performed a late u-turn to instead sign a new deal at PSG, which made him one of the highest paid athletes in the world and allowed him control over the club’s sporting project.
Despite signing a two-year extension in May, Mbappe has been a frustrated figure for PSG this season, having featured as a striker instead of in his preferred role on the wing.
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Ibrahimovic, who spent four years at PSG, believes Mbappe should have emulated Zinedine Zidane by signing for Madrid and progressing his career instead of being convinced by money.
“Mbappe, as a person I do not know him very well. As a player, he is fantastic," Ibrahimovic told Canal Plus. “But when you lose discipline you lose your identity.
"There is a reason why Zidane is Zidane. Mbappe wants to imitate him? That he starts to want to progress. Not to be satisfied
"He made the right choice for Paris, not for himself, because he put himself in a situation where he is more important than the club. And the club gave him the keys for that.
"But you are never bigger than a club. But when a child becomes strong, he can easily earn money.”
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Zlatan tells Mbappe’s family to ‘shut up’
Despite having harsh words for Mbappe, Ibrahimovic laid part of the blame on the 23-year-old’s family, insisting they prioritised fame and fortune over their son’s career.
"So his parents become lawyers, agents, coaches," said Zlatan. “From one thing they become another. And that's the problem. That's when you lose your self-discipline and who you are.
"Today with this new generation, the parents, dad, mom who you want, they think they have become stars.
"They talk in the newspapers. But who do you think you are? Shut up. It is up to your son, the player, to work and have discipline.”
Mbappe is rumoured to be furious at PSG’s failure to deliver on the promises they made him when he signed his new deal and is believed to be keen on leaving the club next year.
