PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi and Kylian Mbappe (AP image)
Laporta admitted that from Barca’s point of view, Mbappe’s stay in France was good news.
- AFP
- Last Update:25 May 2022, 22:49 IST
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Barcelona president Joan Laporta suggests Kylian Mbappe’s new Paris Saint-Germain deal “distorts the market” and goes against “EU principles”.
Laporta was reacting on Wednesday to the French forward’s decision over the weekend to reject an offer from Barca’s arch-rivals Real Madrid and sign a contract extension at PSG.
“Players eventually become prisoners of money,” Laporta told the Catalan daily L’Esportiu.
“This is what happens when there is a state behind a club,” he argued in reference to PSG’s Qatari ownership.
“It inspires you to reflect on the sustainability of football in Europe.”
Laporta admitted that from Barca’s point of view, Mbappe’s stay in France was good news.
“A direct opponent is not strengthened and it is better for us because they can’t bother us any more on the pitch.
“But the sustainability of the game is an issue to think about.”
Asked about the possibility of Neymar opening PSG’s doors to a return to Barcelona, Laporta said: “He still has four or five years on his contract. Players who join clubs like PSG have literally enslaved themselves.” It’s for the money.”
Mbappe threatened to take the French champions to court after Mbappe announced he was staying at La Liga in Spain in order to “protect the financial model of European football”.
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