Kylian Mbappe MUST join Real Madrid at some point during his career, insists PSG new boy Sergio Ramos… but Spain defender admits he wants France star to stay for now after joining on free transfer
- Kylian Mbappe has been stalling on a new contract at Paris Saint-Germain
- Real Madrid are long-term admirers of the 22-year-old France international
- Sergio Ramos ran his contract at Madrid down before joining PSG this summer
- Ramos insists Mbappe must join Madrid at some point but wants him to stay now
Sergio Ramos believes Kylian Mbappe simply has to play for Real Madrid at some point in his career but is hoping he stays put for now after becoming the Paris Saint-Germain star’s new club team-mate.
The Spanish giants have been long-term admirers of the 22-year-old France forward, who is continuing to stall on signing fresh terms at the Parc des Princes which has led uncertainty to grow regarding his future at the club.
Spain defender Ramos’ contract at Madrid meanwhile was allowed to run down and he therefore ended up signing for the Ligue 1 side on a two-year deal earlier this summer.
Sergio Ramos (R) believes Kylian Mbappe (L) has to play for Real Madrid at some point in his career but wants him to stay put for now
Real Madrid are long-term admirers of the Frenchman who is stalling on signing a new PSG deal
But speaking to Spanish outlet AS, Ramos maintains Madrid – for whom he made 671 appearances across 16 seasons – is a club where ‘great players’ like Mbappe have to go, but is hoping his new team-mate won’t make that call just yet.
Asked if he would advise Mbappe to go to Madrid at some point in his career, Ramos replied: ‘Of course. Madrid is one of the best clubs in the world. On a historical level, the best.
‘For me, great players have to go through there. But now I want him on my team. I want to win and for that I want the best to be by my side.
‘Advice on a personal level I could never give. I could tell him something from experience, but I would do it in private. As a PSG player, I would like him to stay. I like to play with the best and Mbappe is one of them.’
Ramos won 22 trophies at Madrid but left the club for PSG after his deal was allowed to run down
Ramos said goodbye to Madrid in a departing press conference last month, having won five LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns.
In that news conference, he admitted he waited too long to accept Madrid’s contract offer because by the time he had decided he wanted to stay at the club, the deal had been taken off the table.
‘The offer was accepted but it had a use-by date’ said the former Real Madrid captain. ‘They informed us a week ago that the offer had run-out.
‘I don’t know why it had an expiry date. Maybe I interpreted it wrongly or I didn’t understand it but no one told me.’
But Ramos remained coy when asked by AS if Madrid did everything in their power to keep him, only confirming the project laid out to him by PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, sporting director Leonardo and boss Mauricio Pochettino convinced him to join.
Ramos said he was given the necessary affection by PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino (left), club president Nasser Al Khelaifi (centre) and sporting director Leonardo (right)
Asked if Madrid could have done more to renew his deal at the Bernabeu, Ramos added: ‘These are difficult questions to answer, but I already made it clear in my last press conference. There is no looking back.
‘I am adventurous and my priority was the sports project. Also the treatment they gave me. The president, Leonardo, Pochettino… they gave me the important affection to decide.
‘I like to take on these new challenges. It is always good to get out of your comfort zone. I am very happy with the decision I have made.’
