Indignation, consternation, anger… Such feelings still invade the Madrid universe since a smiling Kylian Mbappé, in the center of the field of the Parc des Princes, gave the news that the football planet was waiting for: what his immediate future will finally be. His decision was to continue for three years at Paris Saint Germain, until June 2025. His hypothetical transfer to Real Madrid, which in Cervantes’ homeland was taken for granted, should be the media pearl of the year, because, when such a differential figure emerges, it guarantees a golden age of triumphs. It was much more than that: a neutron bomb that exploded in vast regions of Spain and the world.
With his statement he closed the door to Madrid’s almost desperate desire to hire him as a star for the next ten or twelve years. He had to be the cornerstone of an ambitious two-pronged project: the new Santiago Bernabéu stadium and the ultragalactic signing with which astronomical profits and dozens of championships would be obtained in the remainder of this decade and the beginning of the next. A period addition, like Alfredo Di Stéfano or Cristiano Ronaldo.
(Also read: ‘Dibu’ Martínez challenges Kylian Mbappé by ‘inviting him’ to play in Colombia)
Mbappé: an ‘advance’ from the press that didn’t come out
For three years the Madrid press (which is not from Madrid) had been anticipating that Kylian would play for Madrid, in 2020, in 2021, in 2022… There was not a particle of doubt. He abounded in details: “It’s done”, “He’s looking for a house in Madrid”, “It will be a historic double, the inauguration of the new Bernabéu and the presentation of Kylian”, “He will fulfill the dream of his life”, “PSG is a powder keg and the sheikh is flying because they have not known how to renew him”, “He will share a golden attack with Bezema and Vinicius, they will crush the defenses”… Meanwhile, the Parisian scorer, in silence. And Paris Saint Germain, impassive. At the time of the hour – moments before the start of the final game of the season against Metz – an exultant Nasser Al-Khelaïfi (president of PSG) presented who is today the best footballer in the world and, together, they broke the news to a full and happy stadium, which no longer expected it, because the information emanating from Spain was so explicit, that they gave it up for lost. The PSG fan found out there that he was staying.
The loudest NO in history infuriated Real Madrid like never before in its 120 years of existence. He took it as an unacceptable rudeness. There was not even sorrow for not being able to sign him, there was a monumental rage for the snub, which the media related to the white club did not hide anything. The deplorable partisan journalism entered the scene. Marca, almost an official organ of the Chamartín institution, made a cover full of spite: photo to page of Mbappé with Al Khelaïfi and, in title, “YOU HAVE TO HAVE A LOT OF CLASS TO PLAY IN MADRID”. Ace also focused his cover on the unexpected NO with a less spiteful but equally smug caption: “HE LOSES IT.” Scandalized columnists led with phrases almost inciting violence: “The number one public enemy of Madrid.” Another, at the pinnacle of arrogance, slipped: “Mbappé needed Real Madrid more than Real Madrid needed Mbappé”. So what did they want it for…? Cuteness to which more aggressive, how to call him a traitor. At the height of the anger, a commentator who narrated a match on Twitch urged three times during the broadcast to “fuck the ass” of the French phenomenon. Tons of poison mixed with stupor and vanity. Journalists inflamed in a barrabravil attitude for what they consider an intolerable mistreatment of the now 14-time European champion. Nobody ever dared to say no to Real Madrid, that great Caligula with the right to use all the virgin talents of world football. Mbappé is the first and this reflects, to a large extent, his personality.
(Also: Luis Díaz: that’s how it went in the Champions League final)
The reactions for the No of Mbappé to Madrid
The soccer players of the merengue club manifested themselves in their networks with hurtful phrases for Kylian, in the sense that he misses out on reaping titles. “He preferred the money and not the glory,” they criticize. But he already has glory, and a lot: he is world champion, something that 24 of the 25 players on the Madrid squad cannot wield. Kroos only. He also won the League of Nations with France. At the age of 23, he already has five league titles and three French Cups, he has been a finalist in the Champions League. He has repeatedly tasted the taste of victory, he is a candidate for the Ballon d’Or without leaving PSG. “He stays for the money”, they criticized him. And Real Madrid sought to convince him with silver, not with titles, precisely for that they took him to him, to give them crowns.
A sea of arrogance, as if Madrid were the only important club on earth and Spain the exclusive place in the world where it is worth living. Mbappé is in his house, he plays in a powerful club, even more millionaire than Real Madrid, maybe he will win the Champions League next year, or the other. Or never, no one will die for not doing it. Pelé and Maradona did not win the Champions League nor did they play for Real Madrid and it was Pelé and Maradona. Plus, he lives in Paris, not some underworld suburb.
Several elements came together that recharged fans and periofans with fury: 1) that he is effectively a supercrac and rejected playing for Madrid, at least for these three years; 2) that no one dares to challenge the shield of the “greatest club in the world” and he, with his refusal, did so; 3) that the supporter media assured for three years in a row, and rejoiced, that he would play at the Bernabéu and were portrayed as smoke sellers; 4) that Mbappé waited until the last day to express his will, feeding the illusion, and finally continued in the Parc des Princes.
“I am very happy to be able to continue playing in France, the country where I was born, grew up and developed. And that gives me the opportunity to pursue my dreams,” Kylian said happily. So much so that he later dispatched himself with three goals.
Traitor…? Why would he be a traitor to Real Madrid if he never played there and never said publicly that he would…? It was speculated, but Kylian did not give the slightest clue. PSG had the same right as Real Madrid to enjoy him in their ranks and to tempt him with a succulent offer. Or more: he was the first to discover the player’s talent, the one who believed in him and paid Monaco 180 million for his pass five years ago, when he was barely eighteen. And the one who gave him the international showcase. He has the desire to retain it and the money to do so, where is the scoundrel…? Finally, Mbappé is free to choose where he wants to play.
“The glory is lost”, they crush. With what support does the Madrid press guarantee you titles at Real Madrid…? Are they futurologists…? Mbappé signed the most fabulous contract of all time in a footballer. Smart, he kept his two suitors in suspense, he waited until the last moment to move a piece and with that he inflated the numbers to stratospheric levels. Haaland and Mbappé, the two gunners the Spanish champion was looking for, left with others. That also increased the resentment.
Faced with so much furious and servile attack from the media, Mbappé’s entourage is very upset with Real Madrid and Florentino Pérez himself for spreading the rumor, false, they say, that they had given him the floor. They never did, they say. They believe that the club has lied to cover itself from so much expectation generated and demand clarification.
(In other news: The ‘varillazos’ to Mbappé and other memes that Real Madrid’s triumph leaves)
Paris is his city, PSG is his home, France has made him world champion, they promised him a Euro-champion team and they give him a fortune never seen before in football, why should he run into the arms of Madrid…?
Mbappé was faithful to his club, his people and his country. Loyalty is never betrayal.
last tango…
Jorge Barraza
For the time
@JorgeBarraza OK
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