Winners and losers of Mbappe’s transfer to Real Madrid
Robin Bairner
- 4 May 2022 12:38 BST
- 4 min read
Kylian Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid from PSG has been the hottest piece of football transfer news for months now.
For well over a year, the anticipation of the World Cup winner leaving Parc des Princes to move to the Bernabeu has been growing. It has been a deal that has been amply fuelled by press speculation, but also the words of board members from both sides, with little love apparently lost between the clubs.
As Mbappe’s contract winds down to its conclusion, the odds seem to increasingly favour Madrid.
If and when the transfer is completed, who will be the big benefactors and who will be the big losers?
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WINNERS: Real Madrid
Let’s start with the obvious one. It would be a huge coup for Real Madrid to sign the best player in the world right now – and to do it for absolutely no transfer fee makes it all the sweeter. Los Blancos are – relatively speaking – in a position of weakness right now compared to Premier League clubs, but to capture such a player shows they still have tremendous pulling power.
WINNERS: La Liga
Spain’s top flight will also benefit immensely, too. In recent years, there has been an exodus of superstars leaving La Liga, with Lionel Messi and Neymar perhaps the two most pertinent examples as they departed Barcelona for PSG. Now they have an ace coming in the opposite direction. La Liga is not dead.
WINNER: Lionel Messi
At times this season, Messi seems to have struggled with the supporting role he has been given at PSG. Back in the spotlight, where he is used to being, this is his chance to win back some of his damaged reputation after a disappointing first season in France.
WINNERS: France
Ahead of the World Cup in November, it is a massive bonus for France head coach Didier Deschamps to have Mbappe and Karim Benzema play together regularly for four months. The pair already have a superb understanding after limited playing time together – they could be unstoppable come Qatar.
LOSERS: PSG
Over the last 10 years, PSG have been carefully crafting their reputation as being one of the best clubs in the world to play for. Mbappe’s decision to turn his back on his hometown team – and the riches that they can offer – represents something of a slap in the face and a significant blow to their reputation.
LOSERS: Barcelona
Riddled with debt and struggling to sign star players of their own, for Real Madrid to capture a player such as Mbappe leaves the Catalans in difficult position. Indeed, they are staring down the barrel of being dominated by their great rivals for years to come.
LOSERS: Nasser Al-Khelaifi
PSG’s governance is set to come under huge question if Mbappe does leave PSG for Madrid. Sporting director Leonardo has started to come under fire in recent times but the criticism is likely to go above him to president Nasser Al-Khelaifi now. Fans are concerned that the club is being run more as a fashion label than a football team, and the previously untouchable president is set to receive some harsh criticism.
