5 biggest takeaways from Florentino Perez’s comments on Kylian Mbappe

On Wednesday night, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez made an official appearance on El Chiringuito, which he had promised if the Merengues won the Champions League.

Perez spoke about a variety of subjects, including UEFA’s decision to move the Champions League Final to Paris.

But nothing interested fans more – and nothing was more anticipated going into the interview – than Perez’s comments on Kylian Mbappe.

Here are five things to take away from what Florentino said about the PSG superstar.

Kylian Mbappe was pressured

During the interview with El Chiringuito, Florentino Perez made one thing clear about Mbappe. The No. 7 did indeed dream of joining Real Madrid as a child, and his mother actually wanted him to join Real – contrary to how the media portrayed her as a money-grabbing, self-interested individual – because of this.

But the Qatar and French governments collaborated together to help pressure Mbappe, a fact that Perez lamented. He referred to Mbappe’s decision as one of “panic”.

Florentino Perez was hurt by Kylian Mbappe’s decision

Talk about throwing shade with the second one. Perez is basically saying that he didn’t want Mbappe and that he’s not a “good” player. Neither is the case, of course. Mbappe is one of the best players in the world, and Perez tried everything he could to sign him, saving up every cent.

I would not take anything away from these quotes. They just show that Perez was hurt by Mbappe’s choice to snub Real Madrid. Like the fans, Perez really thought Mbappe was coming and got his hopes up that Mbappe would be the guy. He believed Mbappe.

And Mbappe caved to the pressure. He chose PSG, the money, and the politics over his dream and Real Madrid, and it is also clear that Perez lost some respect for him. Not surprising, given that is how many fans feel about Mbappe, too.

Florentino Perez will put business first, leaves door open for Mbappe

Though Florentino’s words sounded like they were from a man who felt betrayed, he straight-up said that he did not feel betrayed by Mbappe’s decision.

Perez’s responsibility as president is to Real Madrid first and foremost. He is responsible for their sporting and financial success, and so it would be silly for him to publicly rule out Mbappe from ever signing.

But notice how he framed this. Mbappe would have to make concessions and prove that Real Madrid is indeed his dream in order to come. He would have show understanding that the club comes first, which Perez reiterated time after time in the interview, before he can be welcomed back.

Fans have often debated about Mbappe and if he will or won’t ever join. The reality is we don’t know. But Perez shows us it is not impossible for Mbappe to be signed in the future. It’s just that, based on what he is saying, Mbappe will have to show he has changed and will not prioritize special privileges that go beyond what Real can give any one particular player. The club comes first.

Erling Haaland would not have been signed anyway

So here is where I offer you a correction for something I said before. Kylian Mbappe waiting and rejecting Real did not affect Erling Haaland, because Perez stated quite firmly that Real did not think it was wise to sign the Norwegian.

Why? Karim Benzema. He is the best in the world and entrenched. Perez said that Real would not sign a player of Haaland’s quality to sit on the bench.

Therefore, we cannot blame Mbappe for Real Madrid not signing Haaland. They may not have done so either way. We can’t know 100 percent if this is just spin from Perez after-the-fact, but I can believe it. Just look at how well Benzema has been playing and think about what Jan Age Fjortoft said: Haaland is a Bugatti who would not have wanted to sit on the bench somewhere.

Real Madrid did not sign a pre-contract with Mbappe

This is the last takeaway and the kicker. Even when negotiating with Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid wrote in a 30 million euro back-out clause that basically said either party would have to pay this amount if CR7 did not join the Merengues from Manchester United the following summer transfer window.

Everyone, including me, thought Florentino Perez had such an agreement tied-up with Mbappe this winter so as to guarantee the player would join. And you’d think Mbappe would want to sign such a deal in case of injury so that he would have something in the hand.

Instead, Real Madrid did not in order to help Mbappe avoid further pressure from PSG.

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It didn’t matter in the end. Mbappe gave his verbal word, backed on it, and caved to the pressure that Qatar and France should never have been able to put on the young man.

Greedy politicians and sport never mix.