Football

Kylian Mbappé's long-awaited transfer to Real Madrid is reportedly on the verge of completion, with an official announcement expected within the next 48 hours. The move has been in the works for years, with Mbappé's contract with Paris Saint-Germain expiring this summer.According to Spanish outlet Marca, Real Madrid will announce Mbappé's transfer on Monday or Tuesday at the latest. The club has waited until the end of its season to make the announcement, which will be followed by a record-breaking presentation at a sold-out Santiago Bernabeu in July.Mbappé's presentation will be delayed due to his current commitments with the French national team, who are preparing for the upcoming European Championship. France will face Luxembourg and Canada in two friendlies before traveling to Germany for the month-long competition that begins on June 15.The 2018 world champions are one of the favorites heading into the tournament and will face an exciting challenge in the group stages. They have been drawn into Group D with Poland, Netherlands, and Austria.Mbappé's move to Real Madrid is a major coup for the Spanish giants, who have been chasing the French superstar for years. The 23-year-old is one of the most exciting players in the world and is expected to play a key role in Real Madrid's quest for more trophies in the coming seasons.

Kylian Mbappé's highly anticipated transfer to Real Madrid is set to become official early next week, according to sources close to the negotiations. The French superstar, whose contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires on June 30, has opted to join the Spanish giants after seven seasons in Paris.Mbappé's decision to leave PSG has been the subject of intense speculation for months, with Real Madrid emerging as the frontrunners for his signature. The 23-year-old forward has been a key figure for PSG, scoring 171 goals in 216 appearances and helping the club win four Ligue 1 titles and three Coupe de France trophies.However, Mbappé has long expressed his desire to play for Real Madrid, a club he has admired since childhood. The Spanish giants have been pursuing his signature for several years, and they are now set to finally land their man on a free transfer.If the move is announced as expected on Monday or Tuesday, Mbappé is unlikely to be presented in Madrid before the end of Euro 2024, which runs from June 14 to July 14. He is expected to remain with the France team, who are currently preparing for two Euro warm-up matches against Luxembourg and Canada.Mbappé's departure from PSG will be a significant blow to the French champions, who have relied heavily on his goals and creativity. However, the club is expected to receive a significant financial windfall from his transfer, which could be used to strengthen their squad in other areas.For Real Madrid, Mbappé's arrival will be a major boost to their attacking options. The Spanish giants have already signed Antonio Rüdiger on a free transfer from Chelsea, and they are also reportedly close to completing a deal for Monaco midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni.With Mbappé, Rüdiger, and Tchouaméni in their ranks, Real Madrid will be well-positioned to challenge for major honors next season. The trio will join a star-studded squad that already includes Karim Benzema, Vinícius Júnior, and Luka Modrić.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has withheld Kylian Mbappe's April salary and a substantial bonus due to a financial dispute between the club and the player. Mbappe is set to leave the French champions at the end of the season, with Real Madrid reportedly his next destination.The decision to withhold Mbappe's salary stems from an agreement made last year, where the player agreed to waive part of a bonus due to him. However, sources close to the talks indicate that the discussions between the club and Mbappe remain "relaxed" and that there is hope for a positive resolution.The total amount of money owed to Mbappe is estimated to be around 80 million euros ($86.8m), including the unpaid salary and the bonus. PSG's decision to withhold these payments without prior notice or agreement has raised concerns.Mbappe's contract with PSG expires on June 30, and he has confirmed his departure after seven years at the club. The player had previously agreed to waive a significant bonus to be reinstated to the PSG squad after being frozen out at the beginning of the season.The total value of these bonuses is estimated to be between 60 and 70 million euros. Waiving this sum was seen as a way for Mbappe to help PSG recoup some money, given that they will not receive a transfer fee for his departure.However, sources indicate that Mbappe may have received the bonus in February. Mbappe signed a two-year contract with PSG in 2022, worth around 72 million euros before tax. Additionally, he received a signing-on fee of 150 million euros and a loyalty bonus of 70 million euros for the first year and 80 million euros for the second year.

Kylian Mbappé, the French football sensation, has expressed his desire to play for AC Milan, a club he has admired since childhood. While a move to Real Madrid remains the most likely destination for the 25-year-old, Mbappé's revelation has sparked excitement among Milan fans.Mbappé's admiration for Milan stems from his childhood, when he was an avid supporter of the Italian giants. "As a kid, I was a big fan of AC Milan and I always watch Serie A, every Milan game. All my family, massive Milan fan," he said.Despite Milan's recent struggles in Serie A, Mbappé remains open to the possibility of playing for the club in the future. "Italian football? You never know what happens," he told Sky. "I was always saying: if I will go to Italy one day, I will go to Milan."Mbappé's departure from Paris Saint-Germain is imminent, with his contract expiring at the end of the season. The French forward has enjoyed a remarkable spell at PSG, becoming their all-time top scorer with 26 goals. He has also won multiple Ligue 1 titles and the league cup.While Real Madrid is the frontrunner to sign Mbappé, Milan's history and tradition could prove to be a tempting proposition for the player. The Italian club has a rich history of success, having won seven European Cups and 19 Serie A titles.Mbappé's potential move to Milan would be a major coup for the club, which has been struggling to regain its former glory. The arrival of a world-class player like Mbappé could help Milan challenge for major trophies once again.

Kylian Mbappe's illustrious chapter with Paris Saint-Germain came to a triumphant end as he bid farewell to the club with a French Cup triumph. The French superstar, whose contract expires this summer, expressed his pride in leaving with his "head held high" after PSG's 2-1 victory over Lyon in the final.Mbappe's departure has been widely anticipated, with Real Madrid heavily linked as his next destination. However, the 25-year-old remained tight-lipped about his future, stating that he would announce his decision "in good time.""I wanted to end things well with my club, with a trophy," Mbappe said. "I think there is a time for everything, and I will announce my future club in good time."Despite not scoring in the final, Mbappe leaves PSG as the club's all-time leading scorer with 256 goals in 308 appearances. His seven-year spell in Paris has been marked by six Ligue 1 titles, four French Cups, and two League Cups, as well as a Champions League final appearance in 2020.Mbappe admitted to feeling emotional ahead of the match, knowing that it would be his last for PSG. "With the protocol before a Cup final, you have a lot of waiting around and so there is a lot of time to think," he said. "You think and so all the memories start to come back. There is all the nostalgia, and the thought that in 90 minutes it will all be over."Despite the bittersweet nature of his departure, Mbappe expressed gratitude for his time at PSG. "There are only good memories and now I can go out with my head held high, with a trophy as well, so I will only remember the positives," he said.Mbappe will now join the France squad to prepare for Euro 2024, where he will undoubtedly be one of the key players for Les Bleus.

Kylian Mbappé's illustrious tenure at Paris Saint-Germain will culminate on Saturday in the French Cup final against Lyon. The match marks the 308th and final appearance for the French superstar, who joined the club in 2017 from Monaco for a staggering €180 million.Mbappé's time in Paris has been a trophy-laden affair, with six Ligue 1 titles and two League Cups to his name. A victory against Lyon would add a fourth French Cup medal to his collection. However, his tenure has been overshadowed by PSG's elusive pursuit of the Champions League trophy.Despite scoring 42 goals in 64 Champions League appearances, Mbappé has yet to lift the coveted trophy. His closest attempt came in 2020 when PSG lost to Bayern Munich in the final. With Real Madrid reportedly his next destination, Mbappé will be eager to add a Champions League title to his resume.Mbappé's legacy in France is secure. As a teenage prodigy, he played a pivotal role in Monaco's Ligue 1 triumph in 2017. He has since become an icon in his home country, following in the footsteps of legendary French players like Michel Platini, Zinedine Zidane, and Thierry Henry.Mbappé's French Cup history has been mixed. He was sent off in the 2019 final and injured in the 2020 final. However, he has also been a key figure in PSG's three Cup victories.Lyon, under the guidance of Pierre Sage, has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence since languishing at the bottom of the league in December. They have secured European qualification and pose a significant threat to PSG's hopes of a domestic double.The final will be played at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, marking the first time the match has been held outside of Paris and its surrounding region. The venue's capacity of 50,000 is expected to create a vibrant atmosphere for Mbappé's farewell performance.

World champion N'Golo Kante will make a surprise return to international football as France coach Didier Deschamps announced Thursday the 25 players that will make up the French squad at Euro 2024. Kante left English side Chelsea last summer to join Saudi club Al Ittihad and has not represented France since June 2022."He played a full season (Kante struggled with injury during his time with Chelsea), albeit not in a European league, as he is in Saudi Arabia," said Deschamps on French TV channel TF1."He's back to full fitness. With his experience, I'm convinced that the French team will be stronger with N'Golo Kante."The 2018 World Cup winner was the big surprise in Deschamps' squad, but the 33-year-old's experience will doubtless be a help to youngsters Warren Zaire-Emery and Bradley Barcola, who also made the squad after fine seasons at Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.Winger Barcola, 21, is the only uncapped player in the squad but forced his way in with a strong finish to the season, impressing particularly with his performances in the knock-out stages of the Champions League against Real Sociedad and Barcelona.Also making a return to the international fold is Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy, who has not played for France since September 2022, but has been a regular this term for his club who are on course to complete a Spanish league-Champions League double.Star attacker Kylian Mbappe was also included in the squad, as were Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Arsenal defender William Saliba.Mbappe comes into the tournament in fine form, despite uncertainty about where he will play his football next season after confirming he would leave PSG this summer.The France captain has scored 44 goals so far this season and can add to that tally in his team's remaining Ligue 1 match and the French Cup final.After a stunning breakthrough season at PSG, Zaire-Emery earned his first call-up in November of last year, marking the occasion with a goal in a 14-0 rout of Gibraltar."Very happy to be on the list, it's one of the best competitions to play with France and I'm very happy and proud to represent my country," said Zaire-Emery via video link on TF1.The 18-year-old added that he had been granted a special dispensation to sit his final school exams later in order to perform at his best at the Euro during the summer."I asked to be able to do it in September to be calm and focussed on football," said Zaire-Emery.Aurelien Tchouameni, who is a doubt for June's Champions League final, Mike Maignan and Kingsley Coman all made the squad despite currently carrying injuries.PSG's Lucas Hernandez missed out after rupturing his anterior cruciate knee in May.After defeat in the final at home in 2016 and a disappointing early exit in 2021, France come into Euro 2024 among the pre-tournament favourites to win a third European Championship after victory in 1984 and 2000.France will begin their Euro campaign in Germany on June 17 against Austria, before taking on the Netherlands four days later and completing their group-stage matches against Poland on June 25.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured a 2-1 victory over Nice in Ligue 1 on Wednesday, despite the absence of star forward Kylian Mbappe. The win effectively ended Nice's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.Mbappe, who is set to leave PSG at the end of the season, missed the match due to discomfort in his left hamstring. Other notable absentees for PSG included Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi, and Randal Kolo Muani.PSG took the lead in the 18th minute through Bradley Barcola. Defender Yoram Zague doubled their advantage in the 29th minute, marking his 18th birthday with his first goal for the French champions.Nice responded with a goal from Mohamed-Ali Cho just past the half-hour mark. However, their hopes of a comeback were dashed when Melvin Bard was sent off with 15 minutes remaining for a challenge on Barcola.The defeat leaves Nice four points behind Lille and Brest, who are battling for the third automatic Champions League qualifying spot. Nice are now guaranteed to finish fifth and will participate in the Europa League group stage next season.Meanwhile, Marseille's hopes of European qualification suffered a blow with a 1-0 loss at managerless Reims. Chancel Mbemba's own goal in the first half condemned Marseille to defeat, leaving them three points behind Lens and Lyon in the race for a Europa Conference League place.

Kylian Mbappé, the prodigious French forward, has been crowned France's Player of the Year for the fifth consecutive time. The prestigious award, presented at the UNFP (French players' union) Trophies gala in Paris, marks the culmination of an extraordinary season for Mbappé, who has scored an astonishing 44 goals in all competitions for Paris Saint-Germain.As Mbappé prepares to bid farewell to PSG at the end of the campaign, the award serves as a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering commitment to French football. The 25-year-old captain has been a cornerstone of the national team, leading them to victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.In his acceptance speech, Mbappé expressed his gratitude for the recognition and acknowledged the significance of Ligue 1 in his career. "It is a page that is turning, a chapter of my life that is going to close," he said. "Ligue 1 will always have an important place in my life. It is the only league I have known in my career up to now."Mbappé's departure from PSG has been the subject of intense speculation, with Real Madrid widely expected to be his next destination. While he remained tight-lipped about his future plans, he hinted at an exciting chapter ahead. "What is coming next is very exciting but that is something else," he said.Mbappé's final home game for PSG was a bittersweet affair, as the champions suffered a shock 3-1 defeat against Toulouse. However, he managed to score a consolation goal, taking his tally for the season in Ligue 1 to 27, eight goals more than his closest rival.With two more Ligue 1 games and the French Cup final against Lyon still to come, Mbappé's season is far from over. He will be determined to end his PSG career on a high note and cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in French football history.