Was Leonardo's departure the first consequence of Kylian Mbappé's extension to PSG and the player's desire to see the club change in depth to give itself the chance to achieve its European objectives?

Questioned by

L'Equipe

on the question, Leonardo swears that the two events are not linked.

" Nope.

It was the end of the Championship and it was perhaps the moment to decide things of the future.

No, I was not told that.

But I don't want to get into that stuff.

And the fact of having kept a player of this level, French and Parisian, is important for PSG and Ligue 1, "assured the 52-year-old Brazilian in his first interview with the press since the announcement. , May 21, of his dismissal.

What happens in-house stays in-house

“Some things that are said internally should stay internal.

This is what I experienced with the club.

When we want to part with you, there is no good way to say it's over, "added Leonardo, who had already left the post of sporting director of PSG for the first time in July 2013.

The former Brazilian international, who had also played a season as a player in the Parisian club (1996-1997), then held this position for two years before resigning due to a nine-month suspension for a stampede with the referee of a match against Valenciennes, Alexandre Castro.

This sanction was canceled a year later by the administrative court.

Donnarumma and Messi on the hunting board

Back in 2019, "Leo" had a resounding blow on the transfer market, with in particular the arrival of Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and especially that of the seven-time Ballon d'Or, Lionel Messi.

The Argentine star had, until last summer, worn the jersey of only one professional team, that of FC Barcelona.

Even if the first season in Paris of the "Pulga", never at its level, proved to be very disappointing, Leonardo congratulated L'Equipe for having carried out "the only transfer of Messi in his career".

“Messi, there is nothing more than that.

Chronologically, there is Pelé, Maradona, Messi,” he stressed.

“When I take stock of my three-year record, I see a C1 final (2020), a semi-final (2021), the 10th league title, seven (other) national trophies and I add Messi”, also estimated the Brazilian.

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