Mbappe on Neymar: "'He is an additional advantage. It is extraordinary to play with him. However, I came for the project,'

The official unveiling of Kylien Mbappe on Wednesday was truly a family affair. 

Mbappe, who has moved to PSG on a loan deal which will become permanent for £166million next year, posed for pictures with his new shirt alongside his dad Wilfried, brother Ethan and several other relatives.

The player mentioned earlier that certain "events since May" caused him to change his mind about staying and Monaco, not the signing of Neymar.

Much of the talk from PSG is about how the teenage superstar grew up supporting the club. 


PSG Minimalist Dad CapHowever, he also said that just four months ago, this was not the case. At that time he was of the opinion that another season at Monaco was right for his career.The front man, whose bedroom walls at his childhood home were plastered in pictures of Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, explained how staying in the country of his birth - and returning to the city of his childhood - were very important factors in his decision to pick PSG.

'It gives me great pleasure to join one of the biggest clubs in the world, which possesses the ingredients to become the best,' he said.

'Back in May, I was in the frame of mind that I would stay with Monaco. Certain events changed my mind.

'It was important not to leave the France. It was important to return to the city where I grew up.'

Mbappe decided to make the switch to PSG in the weeks following the mega-transfer of Neymar from FC Barcelona.

But the youngster insisted that he opted to move 'for the project' and not just because of the opportunity to play alongside the Brazilian.

'He is an additional advantage. It is extraordinary to play with him. However, I came for the project,' he said.

At £166m, Mbappe is the most expensive teenager of all time but he stressed that he feels little pressure from the price tag.

'It is not me who handled the transfer. It will not weigh me down,' he said.

Mbappe made it clear that he is here to win trophies and is targeting Europes' biggest prize during his time at the club.

'With hard work and humility, we get our objectives and that dream of the Champions League which excites us.

'In Paris, I will be able to learn and improve while winning. I am hungry for titles. I want to win, starting right now.'

And he was gushing with praise about head coach Unai Emery. 

'I had the opportunity to talk with the coach, how he wanted to use me,' he said.

'The coach has been very clear with me about how he wants to use me. He is a passionate coach and transmits that to us players.' 

It remains to be seen what will come of the grand project at PSG. They have spent more than anyone could have ever imagined, will this translate to success Champions League? 

It will be exciting to see.

 

 

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