Mbappe urged to stay at PSG and snub Real Madrid by Hakimi

Cameron Smith

• 18 Apr 2022 10:07 BST
• 3 min read

Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has spoken out of his desire for team-mate Kylian Mbappe to stay at the club amid interest from Real Madrid.

Mbappe's contract in Paris expires this summer and it was initially believed that he would use that opportunity to sign for Los Blancos on a free transfer.

The French forward has previously spoken of his love for Real Madrid, but is now believed to be considering his future more heavily with reports suggesting Mbappe is weighing up the idea of signing a new PSG contract.

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The player himself has said he will wait until the season ends before making a decision, but his PSG team-mate Hakimi has tried to swing things the Parisians way.

Hakimi only joined the Parc des Princes club last summer after arriving from a successful year at Inter, but immediately struck up an impressive relationship with Mbappe, both on and off the pitch.

With eight goal contributions in Ligue 1 this season, Hakimi has settled in well, and is keen for a blossoming partnership with Mbappe to continue next year.

What has Hakimi said about Mbappe?

In an interview with Telefoot, Hakimi admitted he wants Mbappe to stay. "It's a pleasure to have him by my side because he is one of the best players in the world, but above all he is my friend," he said.

"I want him to stay here so that we can continue enjoying our football. I wish him the best, but it is up to him to decide what is best for his career and I will support him."

Mbappe scored his 32nd goal of the season against Marseille to put PSG within touching distance of reclaiming the Ligue 1 title, but his off-pitch actions have been just as important to Hakimi who revealed how the Frenchman helped him settle upon arrival in Paris.

"I speak a little bit of French with Kylian. Thanks to him my French is getting better and better, he has helped me a lot. Our relationship is spontaneous, we are like two kids, everything is natural between us.

"On the pitch, it's easy to play with a player like him, someone who can decide the fate of a match."