'Very Happy' Mbappe Snubs Real Madrid to Stay at PSG

Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Paris St Germain v Metz - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - May 21, 2022 Paris St Germain's Kylian Mbappe holds up a shirt after signing a new contract REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Paris St Germain v Metz - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - May 21, 2022 Paris St Germain's Kylian Mbappe holds up a shirt after signing a new contract REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
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'Very Happy' Mbappe Snubs Real Madrid to Stay at PSG

Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Paris St Germain v Metz - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - May 21, 2022 Paris St Germain's Kylian Mbappe holds up a shirt after signing a new contract REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Paris St Germain v Metz - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - May 21, 2022 Paris St Germain's Kylian Mbappe holds up a shirt after signing a new contract REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

Kylian Mbappe said he was "very happy" to stay at Paris Saint-Germain after the club announced that the World Cup winner was rejecting Real Madrid to remain in France until 2025.

"I am very happy to stay in France, in Paris, in my city," Mbappe told supporters on the Parc des Princes pitch before he marked his new deal with a hat-trick in PSG's 5-0 win over Metz in their final Ligue 1 match of the season in Saturday.

Standing next to PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi, Mbappe said: "I hope I'm going to be able to continue to do what I like most -- winning football matches and trophies with all of you."

Mbappe's hat-trick on Saturday took his total of league goals for the season to 28 as he finished as Ligue 1's leading scorer for a fourth straight campaign.

His decision ends months of speculation surrounding arguably the hottest property in world football.

Real Madrid had pursued Mbappe for months and had reportedly agreed a deal which would have included a signing-on fee of 150 million euros ($158 million).

Mbappe had made no secret of his desire to play one day for Real, who will face Liverpool in the Champions League final in Paris next weekend after securing a 35th La Liga championship.

But PSG, who won the French title for a record-equaling 10th time but angered their hardcore supporters with their exit against Real in the last 16 of the Champions League, have battled to hold on to their biggest asset.

"I found out that he was staying just a few minutes before the announcement," admitted PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino, who is widely expected to leave the club this close season despite having a year to run on contract.



Mbappe and Tchouameni Join Real Madrid Training ahead of Clasico

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)
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Mbappe and Tchouameni Join Real Madrid Training ahead of Clasico

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)

Kylian Mbappe trained on Friday after recovering from a hamstring injury ahead of the Clasico against Barcelona, with Aurelien Tchouameni also involved following his bust-up with teammate Federico Valverde.

Top goalscorer Mbappe had been sidelined for two weeks but Real said the French striker completed part of the group session two days before their trip to Barcelona, AFP reported.

Tchouameni also took part in the training the day after his altercation with Valverde resulted in the latter reportedly needing stitches.

The team confirmed that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against both players after the training ground clash, one of a spate of such incidents.

Tensions are high at Real with the prospect of a second consecutive season without a major trophy.

Leading by 11 points, Barcelona only need a draw in the Clasico to be crowned Spanish champions again.

 

 

 

 


Arteta Calls for Arsenal Focus on 'Huge' West Ham Clash

 May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
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Arteta Calls for Arsenal Focus on 'Huge' West Ham Clash

 May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal must re-focus for Sunday's "huge" Premier League clash at West Ham after the emotional high of reaching the Champions League final.

The Gunners will be crowned English champions for the first time in 22 years if they can win their final three league games.

A trip to relegation-threatened West Ham appears to be their toughest task remaining, AFP reported.

Arteta's men then host relegated Burnley before facing Crystal Palace just days before the Eagles play in the Conference League final.

Arsenal reached the Champions League final for just the second time in their history with victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, but Arteta stressed there was little time to look ahead to facing Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.

"Stay present, live in the moment, prepare and show the same level of energy, hunger and desire we have shown all season, or more," said the Arsenal boss, referring to his message to his players.

"We are closer and closer and everything we do is going to matter."

The Gunners are five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table but have played one game more than Pep Guardiola's men.

The result at the London Stadium could also have huge ramifications for Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham.

Spurs are just one point above 18-place West Ham in the battle to avoid the drop.

"Understanding the conditions of the game for both clubs, it's huge, obviously," said Arteta. "We know the importance of it, we know what we want and what we have to do to win the game."

The Spaniard said Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber remain out and are facing a race against time to feature in the Champions League final on May 30.

"There's a fair bit to do," he said. "Everything has to be so smooth and quick if they want the chance to play any minutes."


Dutch Forward Kluivert Returns from Knee Surgery for Bournemouth Ahead of World Cup

FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
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Dutch Forward Kluivert Returns from Knee Surgery for Bournemouth Ahead of World Cup

FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

Netherlands forward Justin Kluivert's return for Bournemouth after a four-month absence from knee surgery could boost his hopes of playing in the World Cup.

The 27-year-old Kluivert, who hasn't played since early January, is expected to be in Bournemouth's squad for its Premier League game at Fulham, The Associated Press quoted manager Andoni Iraola as saying on Friday.

The Cherries enter the weekend in sixth place — currently the Europa League spot — with three games left in the season.

Kluivert injured his left knee in Bournemouth's 3-2 loss to Arsenal on Jan. 3 and had surgery a few days later. He had scored two goals this season. He's been training with the team for the past two weeks.

Kluivert, the son of Dutch great Patrick Kluivert, returned to the national team under coach Ronald Koeman in November 2024 after a six-year absence.

The Dutch open their World Cup campaign against Japan on June 14 in Group F. They also face Sweden and Tunisia.