Shenzhen (China) (AFP)
The Neymar case, its responsibilities, its positioning, the Champions League and excuses: the star of Paris SG Kylian Mbappé has made things clear such as the leader he wants to become, Friday on the eve of the Champions Trophy in Shenzhen .
"Hello, Nihao!" Expected after weeks of speculation about his future and his status at the club, the prodigy of 20 years has ended in a press conference for a rare but precious speech - 9 min 30 sec, to put everything back to the place, except his cap.
He left the scene at the end of May with the statuette of best player of Ligue 1, rewarding his prolific season to 33 goals, but to the applause quickly succeeded doubt. His claims to the UNFP trophies for "more responsibilities" at PSG "or elsewhere" had thrown the blues.
For this new act, he clarified the plot: "no", he did not want to leave the capital while the Real Madrid makes him eyes soft. "I think it was not the right place (to express myself), I take this opportunity to apologize to the players present at this ceremony because I spoiled the party," he said. for mea culpa.
It's a new party that the world champion wants to launch in China. Against Rennes, he can win the first trophy of his season, in the wake of his complete preparation.
"During this preparation, I did more things than I did last year, maybe I did not do enough (before), I came back with very good intentions." he explained.
- the N.9 is Cavani -
Mbappé chained with the tour in China, where he was able to take advantage of its growing popularity, promoted by the PSG in its commercial campaign. The effect of the "responsibilities" he has claimed?
"It is very flattering to be promoted by the club at the marketing level, it counts a lot, but I am first and foremost a football player, and what interests me is the field. claims were related to everything outside the field, "he swept, without saying more about his claims.
Place on the ground, so. And here, Neymar is omnipresent. In the midst of rumors of departure to Barcelona the Brazilian, the native of Bondy said for the first time his preference: he wants the superstar "remains".
He even took the opportunity to slip a word on Edinson Cavani, the last thief of the attack trio, whose positioning in the axis seems threatened by the advent of Mbappé as N.9 during the last months of the season 2018 / 19, when the Uruguayan was healing his hip injury.
- "I discover myself" -
"I'm very surprised that most of you (reporters) say I want to play N.9 instead of Edi, I never claimed that, we have an N.9, it's Edinson. He does it very well, I want to play with great players, Edi is one, "he said, with the aim of bringing everyone together.
Rumors of departure swept, wish to play with Neymar and Cavani asserted ... Everything is ready to launch a new record season? "Beat my goal record (33 in L1), it can be possible Every year, that's what I'm trying to do: to increase, to increase, to always be close to the summits." Where should I go? "In everything! I still have to build myself as a player, I do not have a finished project yet, I'm still discovering myself," Mbappé explained.
Rennes is warned, especially as the player also intends to build a record at the size of his talent: "The goal this season is to win titles.We will try to recover the two national cups, not to let the After that, there's the Champions League, which everyone is watching ... It's up to us to find the solution to go the furthest. " It promises.
© 2019 AFP