Mbappe at the Olympics – a matter of state for France

Macron congratulates Mbappe on the podium after winning the French Cup Final. GETTY IMAGES

French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra confirmed on Saturday that a “private” meeting took place at the Elysée Palace on Tuesday between Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez and French President Emmanuel Macron regarding Kylian Mbappé’s possible participation in the Olympic Games.

The case of the Paris SG star, whose possible transfer to Real Madrid has been the subject of much media speculation, came up last Tuesday as part of FIFA’s 120th anniversary celebrations in connection with a possible appearance at next summer’s Olympic Games. 

“I had a conversation with President Pérez about various topics,” the minister also revealed on Saturday, while in Bilbao to watch the Women’s Champions League final between FC Barcelona and Lyon (2-0) during a press point with some of the media. 

“The President of the Republic had a private meeting with him. The U-23 coach, Thierry Henry, is also very involved; he will be in charge of selecting the team. But I think it is important that we try to make the Olympic and Paralympic Games a great success for the people. And Kylian, with everything he represents, it’s normal (to want him to take part), there’s no need to hide it,” she added.

The Les Bleus captain, who will be playing at UEFA Euro 2024 (14 June – 14 July), is also keen to take part in the Olympic tournament (24 July – 10 August). However, this competition is not part of a FIFA-designated international window and clubs are not obliged to release their players.

“I’m counting on Real Madrid to release Kylian for the Olympics so he can play with the French team,” the President of the Republic said on X on 11 May in a video answering netizens’ questions about Europe.

Mbappe proud to leave PSG “with head held high”

Kylian Mbappe said he was proud to leave Paris Saint-Germain “with my head held high” after winning the French Cup final on Saturday, but will wait for the right time to confirm where he will play next season. “To end with a trophy in a final, there is no better way. It feels really good,” Mbappe told reporters after PSG beat Lyon 2-1 in the final in the northern city of Lille.

Mbappe did not score and leaves PSG with a club record of 256 goals in 308 appearances. Mbappe’s contract is now up and he recently confirmed he would leave at the end of the season, with Real Madrid expected to be his next destination, although neither he nor the Spanish giants have made any announcement.

“All I wanted was to finish well with my club, with a trophy. There is a time for everything and I will announce my future club at the right moment. It will be in a few days, so there is no problem. I don’t know when yet. There are still some details (to be sorted out) but the most important thing was to finish here on a high,” said Mbappe, who will join the France squad for Euro 2024 in the coming days.

Macron condemns fan violence ahead of French football final

French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned “with the utmost firmness” the violence that broke out between PSG and Lyon supporters on their way to the French Cup final in Lille on Saturday, leaving 38 people injured. 

The violence occurred 60km (40 miles) from Lille, where the final was played as the Stade de France in Paris prepares for the Olympics. One bus was set on fire and two more were damaged, local authorities in the Nord département said in a statement, adding that 30 fans and eight police officers were injured, 14 of whom required “medical attention”. Around 100 Lyon supporters and 200 PSG fans were involved in the clashes, a police source statted.



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