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Tag: Nasser Al-Khelaifi

  • Nasser Al-Khelaifi: PSG gives updates on Mbappe’s exit; What changed?

    Nasser Al-Khelaifi: PSG gives updates on Mbappe’s exit; What changed?

    Despite Real Madrid’s recent statement in the ongoing transfer saga, PSG insists that Kylian Mbappe is “helping us to build our future”.

    The French World Cup-winning forward’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain is set to expire in 2024, and he has been strongly linked with a move to the La Liga giants.

    Nonetheless, Real Madrid has stated that they are not engaged in any negotiations.

    They have said: “Given the information recently issued and published by different media outlets, in which there is speculation about alleged negotiations between the player Kylian Mbappe and our club, Real Madrid CF would like to state that this information is completely false and that no such negotiations have taken place with a player who belongs to PSG.”


    PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has maintained throughout that he has no intention of discussing Mbappe’s departure from Parc des Princes, and that remains the stance from the very top of the club. Al-Khelaifi has told Gazzetta dello Sport when asked about the latest comments coming out of Madrid: “I haven’t seen their statement; we’re all focused on ourselves and our football, not on others.”


    Al-Khelaifi added on the role that Mbappe has to play in the present and future at PSG: “Kylian continues to achieve great things and maybe people take him for granted, but nobody has played in two World Cup finals and even scored a hat-trick. I’ll say it again: Kylian is the best in the world, and it’s great to see him at the helm of PSG and France. He’s having a positive effect on our young people, helping us to build our future.”


    Real Madrid may have temporarily distanced themselves from Kylian Mbappe, but it is widely anticipated that they will pursue the French international at a later stage.

    PSG, on the other hand, is not ready to yield without a battle.

    As the reigning Ligue 1 champions, they remain determined to secure the commitment of the 24-year-old talisman, who also holds the title of the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, by persuading him to sign a new contract.

  • ‘Hard to say goodbye, I will never forget’ – PSG president on Neymar’s Al Hilal move

    ‘Hard to say goodbye, I will never forget’ – PSG president on Neymar’s Al Hilal move

    President and CEO of Paris Saint-Germain, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, has offered his response to Neymar Junior’s historic transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.

    Following a six-year tenure at PSG, Neymar departs, leaving behind an impressive record of 13 trophies won and 118 goals scored in 173 matches.

    His accomplishments have solidified his place as the fourth-highest scorer in the club’s history.

    At the age of 31, Neymar joins the ranks of prominent stars who have transitioned to the Saudi Pro League, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr being a notable example.

    As reported by talkSPORT, the Brazilian international is poised to receive a substantial salary at his new club, with estimates suggesting he could earn approximately £138 million per season.


    “It is always difficult to say goodbye to an amazing player like Neymar, one of the best players in the world, he said, as quoted by the club’s official website.


    “I will never forget the day he arrived at Paris Saint-Germain and what he has contributed to our Club and our project over the last 6 years. We had a great moment, and Neymar will always be a big part of our history.


    “I would like to thank Neymar and his family. We wish Neymar all the very best for the future and his next adventure.”


    He will link up with Ruben Neves, former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and compatriot Malcom at the Riyadh-based club.


    Why Neymar moved to Al-Hilal


    Sports Brief also reported on Neymar explaining the reason behind his unconventional yet courageous decision to switch from the European football scene to the riches of Saudi Arabia.

    The Brazilian clarified that his move to the Middle East was driven by his ambition to transform into a ‘worldwide player,’ placing greater emphasis on personal development than financial gains.

    Furthermore, he emphasised his eagerness for ‘new challenges and promising opportunities in diverse settings’ as an added incentive influencing his decision.

  • Nobody is bigger than the club – Nasser Al-Khelaifi warns PSG squad

    Nobody is bigger than the club – Nasser Al-Khelaifi warns PSG squad

    Following Lionel Messi’s departure from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the club’s president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has issued a stern warning to the squad.

    Kylian Mbappe, who could potentially be the next high-profile player to leave PSG this summer after Messi’s exit, and he is heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.

    Al-Khelaifi addressed the potential changes within the squad during a pre-season training huddle, expressing concerns about turnover and sending a clear message to the current players.

    “It is important to tell you that the manager has the power to do as he pleases, it is he who decides,” he is quoted as saying by L’Equipe. 

    “All together, we need to go in the same direction and show pride to play for this club, this shirt, for PSG, as well as showing happiness and most of all loyalty.

    “The club is bigger than anyone here, even me. I expect you to be at 200% during training. Look, you have the best training ground in the world.

    “You have everything to succeed here. There is no excuse not to. You lack nothing. You have to work hard. I want to enjoy watching my team.“

     It appears to be a firm message to the playing staff at the Parc des Princes after a number of years of underperformance, particularly in the Champions League, by PSG.

    It may also signal a change of approach in the transfer market, with the club potentially moving away from signing marquee names as they’ve done in the past with Mbappe, Messi, Neymar and others.

  • “Impossible to let him go for free”, Mbappe ‘must sign a new contract’ to stay next season – PSG president

    “Impossible to let him go for free”, Mbappe ‘must sign a new contract’ to stay next season – PSG president

    Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser al-Khelaifi has emphasized that it is imperative for superstar forward Kylian Mbappe to “sign a new contract” if he wants to remain at the club next season.

    “The position is very clear. If Kylian wants to stay, he must sign a new contract. We can’t let the best player in the world today leave for free.

    It’s impossible,” Khelaifi said when asked about the France forward after Luis Enrique was unveiled as the club’s new coach.

    “He said he would not leave for free. If somebody has changed his mind, that is not my fault.”

    Mbappe declared last month that he would not extend his contract, which expires next year, but has indicated he wants to remain for a final season.

    The club must therefore sell the player in this transfer window, otherwise they will likely lose him for nothing when his deal ends after next season.

    Mbappe joined PSG from Monaco in August 2017 in a 180 million-euro ($196m) deal and has gone on to establish himself as one of the world’s most prominent players.

    He scored a hat-trick in France’s 2022 World Cup final defeat to Argentina before helping PSG win a record 11th French title.

    He was Ligue 1’s top scorer last season with 29 goals and netted 41 in 43 games in all competitions.

    The 24-year-old was expected to leave a year ago for Real Madrid when his previous contract came to an end, only to agree a new deal to remain in Paris.

    That was a two-year contract with the option of a third season which would take him to 2025, which the player has said he would not take up, even if he has indicated his intention to see out his existing deal.

    “I said that next year I will play for PSG. I still have a year left on my contract and I am going to honour my contract,” Mbappe said in May.

    Luis Enrique, who has signed a two-year contract in Paris to take over as coach from Christophe Galtier, was evasive when asked on Wednesday if he received any guarantees that Mbappe would remain for the coming campaign.

    However, he later said that he was “counting on all the players who are under contract”.

  • “No one is bigger than the club” – PSG president to Mbappe

    “No one is bigger than the club” – PSG president to Mbappe

    President of Paris Saint-Germain, Nasser Al-Khelaifi,has communicated the club’s stance regarding the ongoing transfer saga involving Kylian Mbappe according to reports.

    The French club has found itself in a stalemate with the 24-year-old forward, who has strongly indicated his intention to leave the club next summer.

    Mbappe’s existing contract with Paris Saint-Germain includes a one-year optional extension clause, which he has chosen not to activate.

    Consequently, PSG is left with no alternative but to sell him during the current transfer window to avoid losing him on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the upcoming season, as reported by Reuters.

    During the presentation of Luis Enrique as the Ligue 1 champions’ new coach on Wednesday, Al-Khelaifi issued an ultimatum to Mbappe as the contract saga continues.

    “Kylian Mbappé… has to decide next week or in two weeks. No more than this. If he does not want to sign a new contract, the door is open,” the president said bluntly.

    Underscoring the gravity of the situation involving Mbappe, Al-Khelaifi emphasised that no player holds greater importance than the club itself.

    “No one is bigger than the club, no player, not even me. It’s very clear,” he told Le Parisien, as quoted by transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano.

    Mbappe places demand on PSG

    In a previous publication, Sports Brief reported on the PSG star’s future being far from settled as he enters the final year of his contract with the Parisians.

    Mbappe reportedly asked for €240 million if the reigning Ligue 1 champions are intent of getting rid of him this summer before his contract is ended.

    PSG confirm Enrique as coach

    Sports Brief also reported on former Barcelona and Spain coach, Enrique being appointed as PSG coach on a two-year deal, as announced by the club this week.

    He replaces Christophe Galtier and was unveiled at a press conference at the club’s brand new training complex in Poissy, to the north-west of the French capital.