‘Mbappe will create DISARRAY at Real Madrid!’ Barcelona president claims

Robin Bairner

22 Mar 2024 10:48 GMT
4 min read

Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Kylian Mbappe’s imminent move to Real Madrid will do more harm than good, according to Barcelona president Joan Laporta.

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Mbappe will leave PSG at the end of the season when his contract expires, with a switch to the Bernabeu widely expected to be announced after the Parc des Princes side has exited the Champions League.

Luis Enrique’s men will square off against Barcelona in the quarter-final of the competition, and while a victory for the Catalans is likely to hasten the announcement of his Real Madrid transfer, Laporta does not fear the attacker trading the French capital for his greatest rivals.

Indeed, in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Laporta said he “does not envy” Los Blancos for adding Mbappe to their already stacked ranks of attackers.

With Barca troubled by financial difficulties, he was asked if he is jealous of Real Madrid’s ability to attract a player widely expected to be in Ballon d’Or contention.

“No, not at all,” Laporta replied. “Besides, I don’t know if they’ll sign him or not. I have no information, only intuition.”

They have a problem. They have to sell a player if Mbappe signs, don’t they?

- Joan Laporta

And the Barcelona president believes Mbappe’s arrival will only lead to disorder in a locker room that already boasts leading attackers like Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.

“They have a problem. They have to sell a player if Mbappe signs, don’t they?” Laporta mused.

“If we take the numbers of his salary and signing on fee into account, it will create disarray in the locker room. He’s not a gift.”

© IMAGO - Kylian Mbappe celebrates another PSG goal

Real Madrid have Mbappe questions to answer

Laporta is likely to be right to some extent.

Mbappe joining Real Madrid will create a significant shift in the power base of the Real Madrid squad.

His preferred position is on the left wing, which is a role already ably occupied by Vini Jr, so fitting both into the team for Carlo Ancelotti promises to be a challenge for the veteran coach.

It is one that Real Madrid, Ancelotti and their fans, though, will welcome.