PSG’s plan to make Mbappe captain

Euan McTear
  • 3 Apr 2022 08:48 BST
  • 3 min read
Kylian Mbappe, PSG, 2021/22
© ProShots

Paris Saint-Germain are pulling out all the stops to try to convince Kylian Mbappe to stay at the Parc des Princes, even floating the prospect of the forward becoming the team’s captain. His contract expires in the summer of 2022 and it seems he is set to join Real Madrid, but PSG continue to work behind the scenes to try to agree a renewal with their star man.

Mbappe has so far turned down big money offers from the Ligue 1 leaders, prioritising the emotional attachment he has to Real Madrid, who has dreamed of playing for since he was a young boy.

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PSG’s latest ploy, therefore, is to offer Mbappe something at the Parc des Princes that money can’t buy: the captain’s armband. According to a report from L’Equipe, the hierarchy at the French club are considering making Mbappe the captain if he stays on beyond the end of this season.

They feel that PSG has lacked a true leader since Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s departure in 2016 and feel that Mbappe can be that figure. Although there was disappointment and finger pointing following the Champions League collapse against Real Madrid, Mbappe proved during that tie that he is a superstar and a man for the big occasions, scoring two goals and having others ruled out for offside.

Would Marquinhos hand over the captaincy to Mbappe?

The current captain at PSG is Marquinhos, who has worn the armband since 2020 when Thiago Silva departed. It’s not clear how the Brazilian would feel about giving up this role, but it appears this decision would be taken out of his hands.

Keeping Mbappe is viewed as such an important matter for PSG that the club directors are willing to try everything and if that means making a 23-year-old captain then they’ll consider it, not least because many believe this would be a positive change for the dressing room.

Read more about: Ligue 1, PSG, Kylian Mbappé

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