Despite ongoing discussions regarding a potential move to Real Madrid, French forward Kylian Mbappé expressed his desire to compete in the Paris Olympics this summer, emphasizing that nobody has informed him of any restrictions on his participation.
While Mbappé is reportedly set to join Real Madrid upon the expiration of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, discussions between the player and the LaLiga giants are still underway. However, ESPN reported that Real Madrid recently notified the French Football Federation that they would not release their players for the Olympic Games.
Addressing the issue in a press conference ahead of France's friendly with Germany, Mbappé stated, "I have always had the same ambition. I have always said that I wanted to go [to the Olympics] but it doesn't depend on me." He clarified that he has not received any communication from PSG regarding his participation in the Olympics.
Regarding his club future, Mbappé remained tight-lipped but indicated that a resolution could be expected before the summer. Despite ongoing negotiations with Real Madrid, Mbappé refrained from mentioning the club directly during the press conference. Sources close to the negotiations revealed that discussions are ongoing, with image rights being a major point of contention.
The Olympic football tournament, scheduled from July 24 to Aug. 9, allows three overage players on each roster but is not part of the FIFA calendar. Therefore, clubs are not obliged to release players for the competition. This differs from the European Championship, which requires clubs to release players for national team duty.
As France gears up for the Olympic tournament, recent draws placed them in the same group as the United States, setting the stage for an exciting competition.
Amidst uncertainties surrounding his club future, Mbappé's determination to participate in the Olympics highlights his commitment to both club and country, as negotiations continue to unfold with Real Madrid.
