How a UEFA glitch boosted PSG’s hopes of keeping Mbappé
The “technical issues” that forced UEFA to redo the 2021/22 Champions League last 16 draw may have altered more than just the short-term fates of the clubs involved. The fact that the redo paired Paris Saint-Germain with Real Madrid may have significant implications in Kylian Mbappe’s future.
Following a technical problem with the software of an external service provider that instructs the officials as to which teams are eligible to play each other, a material error occurred in the draw for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
— UEFA (@UEFA) December 13, 2021
PSG were supposed to face Manchester United and Real Madrid were paired with Benfica in the original draw, but the rerun means the two capital city sides will face off in February and March.
With this the clear tie of the round and with all eyes on this two-legged affair, it would be almost impossible for Kylian Mbappé to agree pre-contract terms with Los Blancos ahead of this meeting. Even though he has been legally allowed to negotiate terms with any club since January 1st, given that his current PSG deal is expiring this summer, Mbappé can’t risk talking to PSG’s upcoming opponents.
The chances of such negotiations leaking to the media is too high and the backlash he’d face from PSG fans would be even bigger than it would be otherwise, if he is seen to be working with the enemy.
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Even if Mbappé does go on to join Real Madrid ahead of the 2022/23 season, he is fully committed to winning a Champions League in Paris before leaving. “I will finish the season with PSG 100 percent,” he said in a recent CNN interview. "I will give everything I have to win the Champions League, the league and the cup and to give all the pleasure to the fans, because they deserve it. I think I deserve to win something great with PSG. I want to win everything this season.”
I will give everything I have to win the Champions League with PSG this season.
- Kylian MbappéPSG’s extra time
With Mbappé parking any pre-contract talks with Real Madrid for the time being, this has bought PSG more time to try to convince the forward to stay.
According to ESPN, PSG are growing in confidence that they can convince Mbappé to agree to a short-term contract extension. They know he wants to play for Real Madrid one day, but want him to stay for at least one more campaign.
With every day that passes, the Frenchman moves closer to the day when he’ll become a free agent. But, with every day that passes, it’s also another day in which PSG can try to persuade their player to stay. That’s a concern for Real Madrid.
