Winners and losers of Kylian Mbappe joining Real Madrid

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 13 Jun 2023 10:00 BST
• 4 min read

Kylian Mbappe is no stranger to delivering bombshells off the pitch. Last year it was the about-face decision to remain at Paris Saint-Germain for another year - but this time around it’s quite the opposite.

The Frenchman reportedly handed a letter to PSG chiefs saying that he would, under no circumstances, be activating the option of a further year in his contract.

So instead of a deal until 2025, Mbappe will be a free agent in 2024. It means that in order for PSG to recoup any money from selling him, the attacker will have to be sold this summer, with Real Madrid, the team he was set to join last year, the favourites for his signature.

But what would be the fallout of this? Where does this leave Mbappe and all the other clubs and parties affected? Here we take you through the winners and losses of this reignited saga.

WINNER - Kylian Mbappe

Of course, this would mean a new pasture for Mbappe - an opportunity to cement himself as one of the greatest ever. Real Madrid are no stranger to that elusive Champions League trophy - and Mbappe may well find himself in a similar position to Cristiano Ronaldo, who won four trophies while at Los Blancos. In essence, Mbappe has the opportunity to become a club legend there - one of the all-time greats. He will be given the chance in a side that is without fan revolt, protests, and political difficulties. It is a chnace to really thrive and become, without doubt, the best playing today.

LOSER - PSG

PSG laced their frontline with some of the biggest names in football, and they don’t have much to show for it. The Ligue 1 titles have not been in short supply, but their constant Champions League shortcomings have meant that fans have turned on a lot of the squad and the hierarchy there. Lionel Messi leaving is one thing, he is now in his veteran years. Neymar, similarly, is now in his thirties and his injury record and 0ff-field activities have marred his legacy at PSG. Their golden child was Mbappe. He is, in effect, as big as PSG itself - and now they’re about to lose him. Nothing has been gained from the signings of each of those stars on outrageous sums.

WINNER - Florentino Perez

Real Madrid’s president was reportedly aghast when the news filtered through that Mbappe would not be signing a deal with the side, opting to pen fresh terms at PSG instead. And yet that same year his side won the Champions League. This season hasn’t been as good for the club - there are a lot of older players who have moved on - see Karim Benzema - or are slowly being replaced by younger talent - see Toni Kroos and Jude Bellingham. With Mbappe coming in and the meteoric rise of Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid really look like they’re about to begin a fresh new era with their young stars - and that would surely frighten the rest of Europe’s elite.

LOSERS - Ligue 1

There is no escaping how each league is a product. The departure of someone the size of Mbappe will surely hamper the French league. He was their biggest star and now he will be under the La Liga umbrella instead. It is a huge problem for the league. The likes of Messi and Mbappe leaving create a large void. It depends on what PSG do now. They are already under the spotlight where Uefa are concerned and so it’s unlikely that a huge name such as Mbappe will be coming in any time soon. The trajectory that the French league once had will surely take a step backwards if Mbappe moves to Spain.