Mbappe explains Real Madrid snub as a youngster

Kylian Mbappe has opened up on his reasons for rejecting a chance to join Real Madrid as a youngster.

Despite interest from Real Madrid, a young Kylian Mbappe favored beginning his career in familiar surroundings by staying in France.

The Frenchman sparked interest from Real Madrid as a 14-year-old youngster. He even visited the club’s facilities in late 2012 and met French icon Zinedine Zidane, who worked in the academy at the time, and his idol Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mbappe’s father, Wilfrid, disclosed in an interview back in 2017 that his son may have joined Real Madrid back then had Zidane stayed in charge. The Frenchman’s promotion to first-team assistant in 2013, however, prompted them to choose AS Monaco instead.

🎙| Kylian Mbappé: “My parents turning down the Real Madrid offer when I was 14? My father wanted me to start my career in France, that I’d have a French education. Going to Spain, even if it was with Zidane it was another country, another culture.”@lobs pic.twitter.com/IhrRoDUoyT

— Madrid Xtra. (@MadridXtra) June 3, 2021

Now Mbappe, who is reportedly on Real Madrid’s radar again, has opened up on his reasons for turning down the Spanish club.

“My parents wanted me to start my career in France, to be educated in France,” he told L’Obs.

“To play football, but also to continue my education. To go to Spain, even if it was with Zidane, it was another country, another culture…”

Staying in France, though, proved to be a good call. Mbappe developed superbly at Monaco and soon became one of the biggest young prospects in European football. He joined Paris Saint-Germain in a €145 million deal in 2018 after a season on loan and has raised his game even more in the capital.

The World Cup winner is currently preparing for this summer’s European Championship, where he hopes to win a second major honor with the French national team.