Game-changing Move: Real Madrid's Bold Bid to Secure Kylian Mbappe's Signature Surfaces - Will the French Sensation Swap Paris for Spain?

The news spread quickly to Clairefontaine like wildfire on a Spanish podcast. "We are hopeful that Kylian Mbappe will approach his future with the same thoughtfulness as Jude Bellingham," said Jose Manuel Otero, a member of Real Madrid's board of directors, in an interview with Remontada Blanca.

For the past three years, the focus has been on the future of the French captain. Although it may seem like a well-worn topic, the comparison to Bellingham adds a new angle that Real Madrid is eager to capitalize on, creating a division within 'Team Mbappe'.

The England midfielder’s exceptional talent, skyrocketing reputation, and recognition as a Ballon d'Or prospect have not only made headlines in Spain and England.

Leading French football broadcaster Telefoot, which holds the rights to broadcast the national team's games, dedicated a show to Bellingham titled 'La Nouvelle Star.' During the show, Zinedine Zidane, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurélien Tchouameni expressed their thoughts on "le joueur phare de ce debut de saison" - the standout player at the beginning of the season.

The segment focusing on the exceptional talent, referred to as "hors norme," is in stark contrast to another program that provides analysis on Mbappe's struggling campaign. This was the main issue addressed to France coach Didier Deschamps prior to the European Qualifier against the Netherlands.

Deschamps responded, "Considering everything Kylian had during this summer, it is understandable that, in the hectic schedule of matches, he goes through a period where he is slightly less impressive and less successful."

France discusses two different versions of Mbappe: the energetic force he was before his choice to not activate his one-year option with PSG, resulting in a partially resolved toxic dispute with the club, and the weary version that followed.

In Madrid, they interpret the situation differently and attribute the forward's decline to May 2022 when, on the brink of joining Real, he chose to extend his contract with PSG instead. The Spanish giants openly acknowledge Bellingham's brilliance, not only as evidence of his talent but also because he made the correct decision, unlike Mbappe.

Real Madrid presented two key persuasions to both players: the opportunity to win the Ballon d'Or and the chance to be part of a historic legacy. One executive conveyed to We News: "Our message is straightforward – while other options exist, we are unequivocally the finest one. You can bask in that assurance by joining us, or ruefully watch from the outside."

During the podcast this week, Otero further hinted at Mbappe's triumphant future at Real Madrid, stating, "Mbappe will undoubtedly attain glory once he dons the Real Madrid jersey. Otherwise, he may meander... It appears that PSG's dominance has waned."

Newcastle's dominant 4-1 victory over the French champions in the Champions League magnifies the significance of that final statement. PSG is striving to undergo a transformation and revamp under the guidance of chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who urges for patience.

The prevailing sentiment in France is that Mbappe's patience has worn thin. His choice to forgo his one-year option at the club, despite being fully aware of the controversies, pressures, and consequences it would entail, speaks volumes. Instead, he has opted to become a free agent in the upcoming summer.

There is a growing belief that Mbappe will leave at the end of the season but forego any loyalty bonuses owed to him.

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Mbappe's PSG were humbled 4-1 by Newcastle at St James' Park last week

According to L'Equipe's Loic Tanzi, strong sources indicate that the current situation and communication from Mbappe's side can be summarized as follows: Mbappe's side has not stated that they do not want to renew his contract. Rather, they have expressed their unwillingness to exercise the option on the current deal and their desire to stay at PSG this summer. Mbappe also acknowledged the unpredictable nature of a year at a club like PSG.

Currently, Kylian has opted not to negotiate a new contract with the club and there are no ongoing discussions on the matter. However, PSG intends to revisit the topic during the year and assess the situation. Ultimately, the final decision lies with the player, as he holds the power in this matter.

Mbappe embodies both a blessing and a burden - he is of utmost importance to his club, his country, and our perception of the future of football. Observing him up close revealed a remarkable talent filled with potential, yet burdened by immense pressure.

This is Kylian.

The rest of France's team, including Mbappe, were on the field for an open training session that drew thousands of attendees. Meanwhile, the photographers and broadcast camera crews focused in the opposite direction, eagerly awaiting the crucial and captivating imagery, that intangible "je ne sais quoi."

Thierry Henry, newly named coach of the national U21 team, stood on a nearby field, watching a rigorous tactical training session without much notice.

Amidst the crowd's echoing chants of 'Kylian, Kylian, Kylian,' Henry remained entirely focused and unperturbed.

Finally, he was in the frame. Finally, the show could commence. Finally, it genuinely felt like Les Bleus.

Lamari perfectly highlighted the similarity to Bieber in a significant aspect; Mbappe is an indisputable superstar, the epitome of a celebrity.

The responsibility that the player holds to French football, the post Messi-Ronaldo era, his club, and his country is heightened when there is a disparity or increase in pressure. At just 24 years old, he has faced numerous expectations which can understandably lead to exhaustion. "Kylian Mbappe simply desires to participate in the game," remarks an official from the French Football Federation.

He aspires to become, and indeed is, the finest football player globally. However, this leads to the predicament of being a figure of significance for the entire nation. He serves as a political tool, a source of tranquility amid turmoil, and a beacon of hope for his hometown, Bondy, as well as other similar suburbs. He embodies a corporation and a distinctive brand. He assumes a leadership role and possesses unwavering determination, yet this burden weighs heavily upon him. We witnessed how challenging the summer was for him. Our concern extended beyond Kylian, the accomplished footballer, to encompass his well-being as a person.

The FFF was preoccupied with Mbappe's conflict with PSG, in which the club excluded him and considered selling him after he declined a contract option. They engaged in extensive talks on how to ensure their captain remained in shape, motivated, and content, particularly if PSG followed through on their intentions and kept him in the sidelines with other players such as Julian Draxler, Gini Wijnaldum, and Leandro Paredes.

"Mbappe's situation this summer did not help anyone: not him, nor his club, nor me, nor the national team," Deschamps would admit.

"It's so much the better that the situation has normalised."

He wants to be - and he is - the best footballer in the world. With that, the problem comes that he is also everything to everyone in the country.

A French FA official on the strain on Mbappe

In truth, there was confidence in the France set-up that there would be a speedy solution, primarily because "Kylian Mbappe just wants to play football."

PSG was well aware of this fact as well, recognizing it as their most powerful advantage. "Once Kylian realized that the club was fully committed to excluding him from games, he took decisive action," Tanzi explains.

"He comprehended that without change, he would remain in the stands, possibly even on the bench, for the initial months of the season. Kylian cannot truly be himself without football; it brings him immense joy. Consequently, he approached the club, proposing further discussions to explore potential solutions."

Team Mbappe

Mbappe's inner circle is notoriously limited, and it has diminished over time. This sheds light on why during the summer dispute with his employers, only PSG's version of events was reported by media outlets in France and elsewhere.

Aside from Mbappe, who has the ultimate authority in decision-making, his mother, Lamari, holds the most crucial role within his trusted circle. Senior officials from Real Madrid even refer to her as 'La jefa,' meaning 'the boss,' although she consistently counters that by emphasizing she works for Mbappe and acknowledges that "he is in charge."

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Previous coaches, such as Antonio Riccardi, would concur. From the tender age of six, this child proclaimed that he was destined for football, and he would confidently sing La Marseillaise, believing it was essential preparation for representing the national team at a World Cup.

While attending school, Mbappe diligently studied Spanish and English, with a specific emphasis on honing his skills in addressing the media as a future professional player. At a surprisingly young age, he even organized mock press conferences to further refine his abilities.

"Kylian's unwavering aspirations in football were clear to Riccardi," remarked.

However, even in 2018, a former director of a Premier League club already understood that "to influence Mbappe, it is essential to win over his mother."

Ever since the attacker emerged victorious in the World Cup, Lamari's impact has surpassed that of Wilfried, the forward's father whom she separated from in 2021. Initially, Wilfried guided his son's footballing journey as a coach for Bondy's U15s team.

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Kylian Mbappe attended the FIFA Best Awards last year alongside his father

Their contrasting personalities and approaches to Mbappe's career are understood to have been helpful in ensuring situations are maximised.

Rewritten version:

Their contrasting personalities and approaches to managing Mbappe's career are believed to have contributed to optimizing various situations.

Former professional handball player Lamari is known for being a meticulous negotiator who never compromises. Wilfried, who was born in Cameroon, is seen as the "peacemaker" who ensures that relationships with influential individuals remain positive.

Before this balance was reached, Real Madrid and PSG went to great lengths to secure a signing, with Real Madrid giving up image rights and PSG granting Mbappe the opportunity for a highly lucrative two-year contract, thus granting him all the power. Additionally, Nike had been providing him with free boots since he was 10 years old and eventually signed him to a formal agreement at the age of 12. During this time, Mbappe also attended a trial at Chelsea, but his agent, Lamari, warned them that they would regret not committing to him.

At the age of 14, depicted in his graphic novel 'Je m'appelle Kylian,' Mbappe had the opportunity to meet his idol Cristiano Ronaldo and also had a meeting with Zidane as Real's long pursuit began.

According to a specialized agent from CAA in France, it may seem easy to negotiate deals for someone with such obvious talent. However, it can become significantly more complex due to the presence of individuals who try to take advantage of the situation from a very young age.

Clubs can exhibit greater aggression and employ clever tactics in their pursuit of a player, showcasing their strong desire. Credit must be given to Mbappe's family for their remarkable conduct, as their project remains untainted by external influences. It is not solely about the lucrative deals, and speaking of which, the benefits they gained from PSG are truly impressive.

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Mbappe scored 15 Ligue 1 goals as Monaco lifted the title in 2016/17, before he had even turned 19

Zlatan Ibrahimovic criticized Lamari and Wilfried prior to the World Cup last year, accusing them of influencing Mbappe's decision to reject Real and remain in Paris. Expressing his views on Canal Plus, the Swedish player stated, "They transform from being his parents to becoming lawyers, agents, coaches. This transformation leads to a loss of self-discipline and identity."

Today, in this modern era, parents - whether they are fathers or mothers - mistakenly believe they have achieved the status of celebrities. They often find their voices being heard through various media platforms. However, it is crucial for them to reflect on their own inflated self-importance. It is essential for these parents to practice restraint and remain silent because it is their son, the player, who holds the responsibility of working diligently and adhering to a disciplined approach.

The couple dismissed the criticism as envy and Ibrahimovic seeking attention. It didn't bother them: they prioritize their son's welfare, not others' opinions.

Mbappe's parents enlisted the help of lawyer Delphine Verheyden, who was hired in 2015 over five other lawyers, despite their experience in the football industry. Their mistake was being captivated by the potential commission they could receive, even when the player was only 16 years old.

Verheyden, who represents several prominent French Olympians, is not motivated by the sport or a share of lucrative contracts. Instead, she charges Team Mbappe her standard hourly rate. Over the last five years, she has been an integral part of the player's trusted team, primarily alongside Lamari.

Completing the close-knit circle are Ethan, Kylian's younger brother in PSG's academy, and Jires Kembo Ekoko, his adopted sibling and a professional footballer as well.

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Ethan Mbappe, who was recently included in the PSG squad, has a family whose initials together form the acronym KEWJF. The purpose of this acronym is to represent the company responsible for managing Mbappe's public relations and commercial commitments, which has achieved a significant turnover in the multi-million range.

Agence Patricia Goldman, an exclusive communications consultancy specializing in image strategy and media relations, provides guidance to renowned global corporations such as Coca-Cola... as well as advising Mbappe.

One intriguing decision made by this powerhouse team during the summer was to maintain a strategic silence amidst the standoff with PSG, enabling the club to assert complete control over the narrative surrounding the situation.

Tanzi explains that the unfair coverage stemmed from the lack of input from Mbappe's camp, leaving them uninformed about his side of the story.

The situation posed a problem as we solely had one version provided by the club. Naturally, they will need to disclose their intentions that serve their best interests. Personally, I believe it was an error on Mbappe's part as they should have at least privately discussed with the media to clarify certain aspects, which would have aided in garnering a greater level of understanding among the supporters.

The information relayed to us was that Kylian informed the club of their decision not to exercise their option to extend. That was the extent of the communication, with no further details provided.

Those covering France have expressed disappointment that Mbappe has chosen not to participate in the traditional pre-match press conferences as the captain, alongside Deschamps, for several months. His intention is to avoid any distractions from the national team, including discussions about his future or the aftermath of the summer events. Any comments he has regarding PSG will be shared at a later time, as he wants to ensure that his words are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

Six months ago, Mbappe voiced his dissatisfaction with the club's utilization of a generic in-house interview featuring him as a marketing tool to promote the sale of season tickets. He believed that his personal image and brand were being exploited.

"PSG does not define Kylian Saint-Germain," he expressed in a post on Instagram.

In reality, Mbappe is the central figure in Paris. In France, he represents the essence of football.

Mbappe's significance surpasses that of Justin Bieber. However, is he currently more influential than Bellingham? Not at the moment, as the midfielder's popularity grows in Madrid and Mbappe, for now at least, is overlooked.