Kylian Mbappe asked me and I told him I would go to Real Madrid, reveals Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
|Zlatan Ibrahimovic has confirmed that Kylian Mbappe had asked for his advice and that he told the young Frenchman to sign for Real Madrid if the chance was made available to him. The Swede also added that he is shocked at the fact that Gianluigi Donnarumma warms the bench at Paris Saint-Germain.
Few players’ futures have been as heavily discussed as Kylian Mbappe’s has over the last year or so especially now that the Frenchman has less than six months left on his current contract. It has seen PSG reported refuse a deal from Real Madrid this month as they believe that they can convince the 23-year-old to sign an extension before the season is over. But that hasn’t stopped all the speculation and transfer rumours with Mbappe heavily linked with a move away.
However, the Frenchman himself has admitted that he is yet to make a definitive decision on his future although he has been widely mooted to sign for Real Madrid. So much so, that Zlatan Ibrahimovic revealed that he told the 23-year-old to sign for the Los Blancos if they do make an offer. The Swede also added that in the end it is Mbappe’s decision but revealed that playing away from home is an adventure that will help him grow.
"Only Kylian can answer you about where he has to go. It depends on what he wants, what he thinks. Me, I would have gone. But if I am PSG, I would try to keep him. It's him who will decide. PSG want to keep him, obviously, but does he want to stay?" Ibrahimovic told L'Equipe.
"I also think that there are other clubs that want him: if you are a manager, and you have the means and you do not want to take Mbappe, you are in the wrong business. He asked me, yes, and I told him: 'If I were you, I would go to Real'.
"I had the chance to play in different teams, different countries, with different champions, and that's how I learned and grew. Playing at home all your career is easier, in my opinion. Whereas if you pack your bags and go to other places, it's an adventure."
The Parisians have turned into a force to be reckoned with ever since they signed both Neymar and Mbappe but they added to their roster last summer by bringing in Euro 2020 winner Gianluigi Donnarumma, Lionel Messi and a few others. However, the Italian goalkeeper has been in and out of the team with him and Keylor Navas sharing duties and that has shocked Ibrahimovic. He admitted that the Italian is the best in the world and should be playing consistently.
"I am very surprised. I know it's not easy for the coach, I don't know Navas but he's a great goalkeeper too. They have two phenomena in goal. In my world, Donnarumma is the number one today. And I don't know if it's a good thing to alternate goalkeepers, or if it's more of a favour you do to one of them.
"In any case, I'm used to having a goalkeeper who is number one and is always the same. And about Donnarumma there is no question: he is the best in the world, and that's that. I played with him, I know what I'm talking about," he added.
