Kylian Mbappe has made his desire to play in the summer Olympics known, though his potential move to Real Madrid could cause issues.
The forward could turn out for France, led by Thierry Henry, at this summer’s tournament in his home country, and would be by far the biggest name to appear at the Games.
Though Mbappe has had a fractured relationship with PSG during his seven-year stay with the club, his loyalty to his country has never waivered and he will aim to help them to glory at this summer’s European Championships in Germany.
Having scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final in 2022 – just the second player to ever score a final hat-trick in the tournament – he is France’s star man and would catapult them to favourites for the football tournament should he attend.
Though there are potential issues, the 25-year-old has made his desire to participate known.
Kylian Mbappe has made his desire to play in this summer’s home Paris Olympics known
The forward would play under Thierry Henry (pictured), who is set to lead the France men’s football side
Mbappe’s potential move to Real Madrid, however, could cause issues with reports suggesting the club will not release their French players
‘I always wanted to play at the Olympics and my desire has not changed,’ Mbappe said. ‘If I play the Olympics then it will be a dream, but if I’m not allowed to, then I will do as I’m told.
‘The decision is still up to one person and they haven’t told me yes or no.’
It’s unclear who Mbappe is referring to, but reports have suggested that Real Madrid will not release their French players for the Olympics this summer.
Mbappe seems certain to join the Spanish side in the summer when he leaves PSG on a free transfer, so he may have to ask the club for special permission.
The gold medal match at the Paris Olympics will take place on August 9, with the Super Cup to be held on August 14 and the first weekend of La Liga starting on August 17.
Mbappe said he is waiting on the decision of ‘one person’ to decide if he is allowed to feature
The forward seems set to finally leave PSG and join Real Madrid in free transfer in the summer
Rules state players in the squads for the men’s Olympics must be under 23, or born on January 1 2001 or after, though three older players are allowed.
Henry, the current France U21 manager, will hope to have Mbappe available, but it is more unlikely than likely that that will be possible despite both men’s wishes.
He said: ‘This is one of the problems of players when they are good. They find themselves in a situation where they have to go to the Euros, if you go in the Champions League you have to play that, if you go deep obviously at the Euros it’s way longer.
‘I haven’t spoken to him yet directly about the Olympic situation. I’ve been calling players, as you would know. I will keep that to myself, obviously.
‘But Kylian went on TV the other day and said himself that he would like to play them. obody here would not want to have Kylian Mbappe in his team, that’s just crazy.
‘But he also said – and I’m aware of that – that it will depend on the team. The Olympic Games are not on the FIFA dates so the teams can say no.’
