It looks like Paris Saint-Germain’s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, is not too happy with the way Kylian Mbappe has been spending his time with Karim Benzema while on international duty. The rumours linking the 22-year-old to Real Madrid this summer have grown over the past few weeks.
It’s grown to such an extent that it’s got PSG’s president’s blood run cold.
So much so, he even had to pass a dismissive statement to clear out the rumours in the media.
Khelaifi also mentioned that Paris Saint-Germain have a lot more to offer Mbappe than Real Madrid currently does. Is that true?
Well, let’s break it down into a few variables and let’s see which club has more to offer.
HISTORY, ROYALTY AND STATUS
No matter what condition Real Madrid could be in, it will always be considered as one of the greatest sporting clubs in all of world football. Irrespective of the performances, every top-class player will not think twice if an offer comes their way from Real Madrid.
I mean, look at Cristiano Ronaldo for example. He was at the top of his game and Manchester United were the best team in the world alongside Barcelona then. Yet, he chose to leave the world’s best team at the moment and sign for Real Madrid who were in the doldrums of European football after being knocked out from the Round of 16 for the past five consecutive years. Why’d he do so? Simply because it was an offer from Real Madrid, that is the aura and the charm of putting on the white shirt.
This is something a team like Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain cannot offer. Kylian Mbappe is already a world recognised superstar, however, signing for a club of Real Madrid’s stature will put him on the same podium as Cristiano Ronaldo.
PSG is undoubtedly a great club but a player of Mbappe’s quality comes every once in a decade and he can’t simply afford to not experience the aura of being represented as a galactico at the new Santiago Bernabeu.
Winner- Real Madrid
BRAND POWER
Well, that’s exactly the kind of reception that Kylian Mbappe would get if he signs for Real Madrid. He is the chosen one to replace Cristiano Ronaldo at Real, both on the pitch and off the pitch in terms of performances and brand power.
Signing for Los Blancos would further lament Mbappe’s legacy as a superstar footballer. The Merengues are a global phenomenon and are rated as the world’s most valuable club for the past three years.
According to Real Madrid’s official reports, Los Blancos have a brand value of 1276 million euros, which is the highest in the world in club football. In terms of brand power, no club matches the status of Madrid.
PSG is certainly growing into a popular name to reckon with. However, Les Parisiens are still miles away from Real Madrid and how could a club that has been relevant for the past decade become more popular for a club that’s been the face of club football for the past 100 years.
With that being said, Madrid are the clear winners in terms of brand power. It’s another win for Real Madrid so far but let’s see how the Los Blancos come up against PSG in the other categories. Let’s have a look at the next one that’s quite a difficult category.
Winner- Real Madrid
SHORT TERM SUCCESS
This is a really difficult one to predict. Real Madrid are on the back of a trophyless season meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain lost out on the Ligue 1 to Lille and ended the season with the Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions.
Both the sides have not had their best seasons. However, Paris Saint-Germain might just be the better side in terms of short term success and here’s why.
Real Madrid are currently in the midst of a transition. The core of the team is ageing and the likes of Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Isco, Marcelo and Gareth Bale could all be heading out this summer transfer window. Such an exodus of players could seriously backfire, especially the departures of Ramos and Varane.
Los Blancos have also just appointed a new manager in Carlo Ancelotti, who will take time to work his methods around this squad after having managed a completely different side during his two-year stay.
As of now, Real Madrid are a work in progress and it will take time for Los Blancos to become a domineering force in Europe once again. Unlike in France where PSG always win the league or the domestic cup, in Spain, the domestic cup and the league is equally contested by all the top teams.
Having said that, as of now, Paris Saint-Germain can offer Kylian Mbappe a better short term sporting project than Real Madrid. PSG takes its first win in this battle.
Verdict- PSG win
LONG TERM SUCCESS
Like I mentioned before, Real Madrid are a work in progress and especially in the long run. The list of talented youngsters Madrid has at the moment is incredible which only further proves that the future is bright in the Spanish capital.
Mbappe is 22-year-old and whether he is to stay at PSG or leave France, it would depend on the long term project of the club as he would prefer to commit to a long period of his career to that project and reap its benefits.
Paris Saint-Germain has done an impeccable job lately on the European stage, reaching the final in 2019/20 and defeating heavyweights such as Barcelona and Bayern Munich last season. However, in the long run, PSG do not seem to have a solid plan in place especially if Mbappe departs. Their entire project is banking on the Frenchman’s continuity at the Parc des Princes, meanwhile, the situation is completely different at the Bernabeu.
With Carlo Ancelotti back, the Italian has been tasked with the responsibility of incorporating and integrating the youth of Real Madrid into the system to build a sustainable project. Los Blancos have talented youngsters to lead the club in the next few seasons in the shape of Eder Militao, Federico Valverde, Martin Odegaard, Vinicius Jr and Rodyrgo Goes who are all expected to play an important role in Ancelotti’s new system at Madrid.
In other words, Real Madrid seem to have a better long term project in plan and it will improve by leaps and bounds with Mbappe in the squad. With that being said, Real Madrid takes yet another win in this analysis.
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
I strongly believe that Nasser Al-Khelaifi will do everything in his power to keep Kylian Mbappe at bay and waive off interest from Real Madrid. And that means unlimited financial incentives. Khelaifi is aware that Mbappe is a different breed of a player and PSG simply cannot afford to lose such a talent.
Given that his contract expires next summer, Nasser Al-Khelaifi will prepare a bumper renewal over the summer and offer it to Kylian Mbappe following the completion of the Euros. Khelaifi is going to go all Godfather and make him an offer he cannot say no to.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid can counter PSG’s offer with all the other non-financial incentives including club legacy, long terms success and brand value. However, Los Blancos certainly will not be able to meet or out beat the financial incentives that Paris Saint-Germain have in place for Mbappe.
With that being said, PSG have the upper hand in terms of financial incentives. This brings an end to the comparison and Real Madrid win it 3-2 over Les Parisiens. Los Blancos have the upper hand in terms of club legacy and history, brand value and long terms success, meanwhile, PSG lead the line in short term success and financial incentives.
If you were to be Kylian Mbappe, what would you do this summer after receiving an offer from Real Madrid and a renewal from Paris Saint-Germain?