Kylian Mbappe teases fans about potential Real Madrid move with cheeky response and admits he's expecting to be whistled by fans when France take on Chile

Posted Tuesday, March 26, 2024 by Goal.com

Kylian Mbappe offered a cheeky response when asked about his continued links with Real Madrid, as he admitted he expects whistles from France fans.

WHAT HAPPENED?
The mercurial forward looks all but set to complete a move to the Spanish capital from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer. But with the transfer not yet officially announced, speculation and questions from reporters will continue. It seems Mbappe has thought up more creative ways of getting around such queries, as evidenced in Monday's press conference.

WHAT MBAPPE SAID
Pressed on France team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni's comments stating Spanish people will "see more of him" in Spain, the 25-year-old offered in response: "Well yes, I played Real Sociedad [in the Champions League round of 16], we play Barcelona in the quarter-finals, and if we go through, maybe Atletico [Madrid] in the semis. So yes, Spaniards will see me a bit more."

THE BIGGER PICTURE
With his move to Madrid all-but confirmed, it would be natural for some France fans to feel anger towards their own player, particularly if of a PSG persuasion. Mbappe admitted he is expecting some hostility from the crowd on Tuesday - but not because they are sad to see him go. Rather, Les Bleus will take on Chile at Marseille's Orange Velodrome - just a few days before PSG's match against their arch rivals.

"I understand if I get whistled at tomorrow," he added. "Because on Sunday, Le Classique [Marseille-PSG] is on the programme. But I will focus entirely on the match and not on the reception I will get. I am a PSG player and will not change my way of playing. Should I not be whistled at, I will be surprised. Pleased, however."

DID YOU KNOW?
France fell to a damning 2-0 defeat to Germany on Saturday in what was a statement victory for the Euro 2024 hosts despite it being just a friendly. Mbappe acknowledged that his side were outperformed in that clash but that they are out for revenge against Chile. "We played very badly," he admitted. "Of course it is a friendly, but it still gives indicators that we should not ignore. The leaders failed us on Saturday. We were let down in many aspects. We have been warned and are keen to make a response."

WHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE?
The Frenchman will be looking to bounce back against Chile before returning to club action in the aforementioned fixture at Marseille on Sunday. It is not until April 10 that he faces Spanish opposition in Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals on home soil. The return leg at Montjuic takes place six days later.