2023-09-24 11:15:30
After attending the training of his players on the eve of the classic between PSG-OM, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, smiling and relaxed, received some media, including Le Parisien, in his office at the PSG Campus in Poissy, Saturday noon . To discuss in particular the situation of the capital club at the end of a particularly eventful summer. The hot topic of the Parisian transfer window concerned the future of Kylian Mbappé, temporarily excluded from the professional group before being reinstated on August 13. While the top scorer in the history of PSG is the author of the most prolific start to the season of his career (8 goals in 5 matches), his contractual situation has still not changed with a lease which ends on the 30th. next June.
“With Kylian, we have the best player in the world”
However, despite this status quo and the friction between the two camps, the president of the Parisian club buries the hatchet and continues to proclaim his attachment to his number 7, to the point of hoping for the most prestigious individual distinction for him. . “All the problems we have had remain in the family and Kylian is part of the family,” confides the boss of the capital club. I’m proud of what he does and what the whole team does. We have the best player in the world and for me he deserves the Ballon d’Or. »
“It was tricky to celebrate Messi at the stadium”
However, it is another player who has worn the PSG jersey who is a serious contender for this trophy, namely Lionel Messi. Having left for Inter Miami this summer, the Argentinian has not had tender words in recent days for his former employer from whom he regretted the lack of recognition after the victory in the World Cup last winter. Nasser Al-Khelaïfi was keen to respond to the seven-time Golden Ball winner and explained the reasons why PSG did not celebrate their World Cup success at the Parc des Princes.
“There’s a lot of talk outside, I don’t know what he said or didn’t say. As everyone saw – we even published a video – we celebrated Messi in training (when he won the World Cup), and we also recognized him in private, emphasizes “NAK” . But with respect – we are a French club. It was of course difficult to celebrate it at the stadium. We must respect the country he defeated, his French teammates and our supporters. But he was, and still is, an extraordinary player – we were proud to have him here. »
“The Champions League is no longer an obsession, it’s over”
Nasser Al-Khelaïfi also returned to the new era, which has opened in recent months, embodied by the arrival of a new coach Luis Enrique. The president of PSG recalled his desire to give pleasure to the supporters through an attacking style of play and explained, like his coach, that the quest for the Champions League should no longer be obsessive. “The Champions League is not at all an obsession, it’s over,” explains Al-Khelaïfi. I said it in the first press conference with Luis Enrique. We are building a new identity, our own style, our own playing principles, an attacking game – and a new culture. This is what we want, and the results will follow. We want our players to enjoy playing, our staff to enjoy coaching and our supporters to enjoy watching. I’m trying to get closer to the team and the club because I think it’s a very important moment in a new era to build the base and be closer to the club. »
The fact remains that “NAK” remains very attached to the international influence of its club and wishes, through PSG, to make French football shine outside its borders. “We want our supporters to be proud of the team as PSG supporters, but also proud to represent France on the international stage,” he explains. We are constantly thinking about ways to promote French football. Yesterday (Friday), I was with Nike for the new 2025-2026 jersey and the first thing I said was: where is the French flag? Where is the French flag ? Because when we play the Champions League, international matches, we want all French people to be proud of their French club. »
#Kylian #part #family #Mbappé #Ballon #dOr #Messi #Nasser #AlKhelaïfi #confides