Kylian Mbappé's Move to Real Madrid and Olympic Absence: The Full Story
France and Spain are abuzz with speculation and excitement as Kylian Mbappé's transfer to Real Madrid is about to be officially announced. The French forward, currently under contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) until June 30th, gave a discreet hint about the timing of the announcement during a light-hearted exchange with French President Emmanuel Macron. In a video by RMC Sport, Macron was captured asking, “Hello Kylian, How are you? It was announced today, right?” Mbappé, standing next to Didier Deschamps, responded with a coy “tonight, this evening,” creating a buzz among football enthusiasts.
However, amidst the fanfare of his impending move to Spain, there is another significant development—the 25-year-old striker will not be participating in the Olympics this summer. Thierry Henry, coach of France's Olympic team, has released a pre-list of 25 players that noticeably excludes Mbappé. At a press conference, Henry expressed his acceptance of this reality, noting, “The last time I had so many rejections, I was in college. Clubs are within their rights... People respect the rules.” This has been a bitter pill for Emmanuel Macron, who has long championed Mbappé's inclusion in the Olympics.
For months, Kylian Mbappé has expressed his desire to play in the Olympics, but his commitment to Real Madrid for the next season seems to have complicated matters. The exclusion of Mbappé is a telling sign of the persuasive limitations of the French Football Federation (FFF), Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, and even Macron himself. Florentino Perez, the president of Real Madrid, has maintained a firm stance. FIFA's regulations do not mandate the participation of clubs in the Olympics, giving Real Madrid the prerogative to withhold their players.
Real Madrid has also confirmed through an email sent in March that no French players—including Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Mendy, and soon Mbappé—would be released for the Olympic Games. This is despite the fact that the event is being held in Paris. Perez's position is clear: Mbappé, who will receive the highest salary in Real Madrid's locker room, must prioritize his new club duties. The timing of the Olympics, aligned closely with Mbappé's vacations post-Euro, would delay his integration into Real Madrid's squad—a scenario the club wants to avoid at all costs.
Despite the pressure and multiple appeals from the French side, including a meeting between Macron and Perez at the Elysée Palace, nothing has swayed the Spanish club's stance. Henry admitted that the discussions were brief and blunt. He stated, “We don’t know what will happen between now and July 3 (when the final list is announced), but everything is open for everyone. The discussions? There are not any. You come, you ask, they tell you no, and you leave.” The likelihood of a change in stance seems bleak, and for now, France's Olympic team will have to proceed without one of its top stars.
- Mbappé's move to Real Madrid marks a significant shift in his career, having spent his professional years developing and demonstrating stellar performances at PSG. His anticipated absence from the Olympics certainly dampens the spirits of many fans who had hoped to see him contribute to France's bid for gold on home soil.
- The friction between local sporting ambitions and club commitments highlights the broader issue within international football regarding player availability for nation-based events. Real Madrid's decision underscores a strategic management of their top players, especially given the investments and expectations placed on someone of Mbappé's caliber.
- The decision also sets a precedent in terms of club versus country, particularly with events like the Olympics which FIFA classifies differently from other international tournaments like the World Cup or European Championships. While fans might feel disheartened, the move could potentially be beneficial for Mbappé's long-term career at one of the most prestigious football clubs in the world.
