Presnel Kimpembe, the former Paris Saint-Germain defender, has discussed Kylian Mbappé’s transfer to Real Madrid during an interview on RTL, as reported by So Foot. Kimpembe was speaking in promotion of his new autobiography.
When asked about Mbappé’s recent outspoken stance against the far-right, Kimpembe offered a neutral response, stating, “That’s what he thinks. Everyone is free to say and think what they want, we are in France, he has the right to speak.” This contrasts with Kimpembe’s often more assertive demeanor on the pitch during his time in Ligue 1.
The centre-back also reflected on Mbappé’s decision to join Real Madrid two years ago. Kimpembe acknowledged that Mbappé was pursuing a childhood dream by moving to the Spanish capital. He contrasted this with his own ambition, stating, “My dream as a kid was to win the Champions League with PSG.”
Kimpembe spent his entire professional career with PSG before joining West Ham United on loan in the summer of 2023. He made over 220 appearances for the Parisian club, becoming a key figure in their defence and winning multiple Ligue 1 titles. His time at West Ham was hampered by injury, and he returned to PSG in July 2024 after the loan was cut short. Mbappé’s move to Real Madrid, finally completed after years of speculation, marks the end of an era at the Parc des Princes.
This transfer represents a significant shift in power within European football, with one of the world’s most coveted players now plying his trade in La Liga. For PSG, it necessitates a rebuild and the search for a new talisman. The move allows Mbappé to pursue his long-held ambition of playing for Real Madrid, a club steeped in Champions League history.
