Kylian Mbappé will not hide, but he won’t talk about Real Madrid until the club does it first. Among the final details of the superstar’s transfer being worked out between Bernabéu and the French mega-star’s entourage is the communication strategy. Real Madrid wants to maintain control over timing, mainly for two reasons: not to divert attention from the final in London and not to upset PSG.
Therefore, it was agreed between Madrid and Kylian that the player will maintain a low profile in his public appearances until at least June 3, once the Wembley final and its aftermath are over, whether it’s the celebration of the Fifteenth or the period to lick wounds in case of defeat. Until then, Mbappé won’t be hiding but will continue to be seen, albeit without explicitly mentioning Madrid. Not implicitly either. This is evident in his recent statements. First, when he received the award for the best player in Ligue 1 for the fifth consecutive season. “The next chapter of my career will be very exciting,” he dared to say. Yesterday, at an event, he went a step further: “I don’t need to say my intention, everyone knows it…”.
His entourage is also ‘instructed’ not to mention Madrid… although they have made some insinuations along the same lines. At his farewell party, Kylian’s mother and agent, Fayza Lamari, was asked about her son’s next destination, and the matriarch let slip, “I think you already know where he’s going, right?” It’s as clear as day.
Real Madrid wants to be very careful with the announcement, for which they are creating an impactful campaign, also regarding PSG. Although Real Madrid has won the game, they don’t want to make any moves that could be considered offensive in Paris (and Doha). After all, Mbappé is still under contract until June 30… PSG’s weight in the European football scene, especially in UEFA, requires some diplomacy. The first step in the plan was for Mbappé to announce in the first person that he is leaving Paris, the second was for him to say goodbye to his teammates and fans, with this last service tomorrow in the French Cup final against Olympique Lyon (9:00 PM).
Countdown from this Sunday
From that moment, once the season officially ends for PSG and Mbappé himself, the countdown to the announcement of his incorporation into Madrid will truly begin. This time, for real.
With that front perfectly set, Madrid focuses on the final at Wembley. Monday will be Media Day (day for media attention) for Ancelotti and the team before facing Borussia Dortmund. This media silence agreed with Mbappé also serves to prevent the team’s current affairs from overshadowing the signing. It will be on the table, it’s impossible for it not to be, but not as the main dish. For Madrid, that has to be what will happen in London.
Mbappé awaits in Paris and will have to watch the final from the French national team’s training camp at Clairefontaine. No longer as a fan, but counting the hours to announce what is an open secret: that he is joining Real Madrid.
The presentation could be delayed until after his vacation Madrid is aware of the scheduling issue that arises with Mbappé’s gala presentation to the fans. Two factors are ‘pushing’ the event until July, upon Mbappé’s return from vacation after his participation in the Eurocup. From this Sunday onwards, Kylian will have to be in the French concentration to prepare for the major continental event. To be presented the week after the Wembley final, it would require Didier Deschamps’ approval for his star player to miss a full day to travel to Madrid, be presented, and fulfill the first set of commitments with his new club. The relationship between Real Madrid and the French Federation is correct, but the Concha Espina entity has asserted its authority to prevent any of its players (Mbappé, Camavinga, Tchoaumeni…) from being called up by Thierry Henry for the Olympic team. It’s not a good time, therefore, to ask for favors. After that week from June 3 to 9, the Eurocup will be so imminent that it would be unfeasible. There is another added difficulty. Presenting him after the Wembley final could generate a legal conflict with PSG, with whom Mbappé has a valid contract until June 30. Unless the Parisian star and his current club sign a settlement instead of letting the current contract expire, his signing for Real Madrid and subsequent presentation in the first week of June could open a loophole for PSG to file a complaint.
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