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Kylian Mbappe confirms why he REJECTED Real Madrid in 2017
Cameron Smith
- 13 Oct 2025 17:40 BST
- 4 min read
News
Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe has confirmed why he opted to snub the chance to complete a “dream” transfer to Los Blancos when he left AS Monaco in 2017.
The France international was courted by every top club in world football following a sublime breakout season in Ligue 1 and he eventually decided to join Paris Saint-Germain on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy for €180 million.
Current ETV
Kylian Mbappé
F (C)
Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappé
F (C)
Real Madrid
ETV Range
€107.5M - €131.4M
Real Madrid were also willing to match Monaco’s valuation of the now 26-year-old, however he decided to move to the Parc des Princes, despite dreaming of a move to Los Blancos since he was a child.
“When I left Monaco, at 18, I was very clear that I wanted to play... and Real Madrid had [Karim] Benzema, Cristiano [Ronaldo] and [Gareth] Bale. And I didn’t want to be on the bench,” Mbappe admitted to Movistar+.
“All the clubs in Europe told me I was going to play for their teams, but I knew that Real Madrid, with all the respect they had for me, wouldn’t be able to play me in every game.”
Mbappe added: “Of course, I had the dream of playing for Real Madrid, but being a starter is a privilege. The opportunity to be at home, in Paris, came up, and it was a great opportunity for me. Seven incredible years. The pride of playing in the city where you were born is something very special.
“But of course, I still held on to the dream of playing for Real Madrid, because I’ve had it since I was a child. And I fulfilled it last year. I am very happy.”
Mbappe eventually moved to the Santiago Bernabeu on a free transfer in 2024 and he has scored a whopping 58 goals in just 69 appearances for the Spanish giants.
Kylian Mbappe drops Real Madrid admission
In addition to rejecting Real Madrid aged 18, Mbappe also turned down the opportunity to join Los Blancos five years earlier following a successful trial.
When asked why he opted against moving to Real Madrid at 13 years old, Mbappe replied: “A little bit of everything. But not my family, because I’ve always made my own decisions. And they’ve understood them.
“It’s one of the positive things about having a family of athletes, who know that one’s career is a personal thing. Of course, you want to listen to the people you love, but you decide.”
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