Kylian Mbappe was right to reject Real Madrid – Francesco Totti
FT Desk
- 19 Jun 2022 14:00 CDT
- 3 min read
Roma legend Francesco Totti has defended Kylian Mbappe after the PSG superstar changed his mind over a transfer to Real Madrid.
Mbappe had seemed destined to join Real Madrid this summer but completed a dramatic turnaround by ultimately penning a three-year extension with PSG.
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All season long, it had been unanimously accepted that he would sign for Madrid on a Bosman transfer.
After PSG rejected a €200 million bid from Real Madrid for Mbappe last summer, the Frenchman was believed to have already agreed a pre-contract with the club he supported as a child.
This was reinforced by the fact that he rejected numerous offers of a PSG extension throughout the 2021-22 campaign.
But, in a shock twist, Mbappe decided to sign a new deal at PSG.
This caused great controversy and debate, with Madrid president Florentino Perez alleging political pressure and La Liga president Javier Tebas making an official complaint of PSG’s financial activity.
But Mbappe’s decision has been defended by one legend of the game in Totti.
"For me, it’s a choice of the heart, no matter who it was that decided to stay,” Totti told Sky Sport Italia.
“He should be managed and protected like all the big champions. He can’t find better than PSG.”
Totti is remembered as the greatest player in the history of Roma after a 25-year playing career with the club.
The 2001 Scudetto winner famously turned down a transfer to Real Madrid during the peak of his career.
“Real Madrid were the only other team that I could have gone to play for," Totti told the Guardian.
"The only team it could have been, I think. An experience in a different country could have been something beautiful for everyone.
"For my family. For me…”
