PSG: Leonardo opens up like never before on the Mbappé saga | OneFootball

Leonardo, former Brazilian international midfielder and Parisian, who served as sporting director of Paris Saint-Germain twice (2011-2013 and 2019-2022), was on the microphone for RMC Sport this Tuesday evening. He was notably invited to discuss Kylian Mbappé’s (26-year-old forward) departure in the summer of 2024 to Real Madrid as a free agent, which led him to reflect on his own experience during Mbappé’s desire to leave for Real Madrid in 2021 and the French international’s contract extension in 2022.

Leonardo: “I think PSG will never do it again.”

This cycle had to end: Mbappé, Neymar, Thiago Silva, Cavani.

Did it end too late?

Maybe…

You had already said he shouldn’t be extended, that he should have left as early as 2021?

That’s how it goes. You have a player like Mbappé, you can make mistakes. That’s why, for us inside, we’re not involved in all that. He was supposed to leave, but he did things.

Why was he supposed to leave?

Because he wanted to leave! Neymar wanted to leave, he left! That’s how I am. But I also understand, if you paid a player a lot, you don’t want him to leave just like that. You have to see how he leaves. Otherwise, you have to manage. Afterwards, the player isn’t happy. It happens.

You left in 2022 because of the disagreement over Mbappé? Was it too much importance for one player? Too much money?

It’s not just about the money. For me, if you have an opportunity that everyone wants, you have to take it. That’s how it is. You can’t say, “No, please stay.” It’s goodbye. I think PSG will never do it again. I didn’t agree with that and that’s also why I left.

Leonardo: “I couldn’t stay.”

Did Mbappé and his entourage take on too much importance before his departure? Was he almost the boss of PSG?

Honestly, I wasn’t there anymore, I had left.

You didn’t feel that?

He renewed his contract, there were conditions for him to stay. It was a choice, I didn’t agree. I had already said no before, so I couldn’t stay. Between me and Qatar, there’s no problem. We can talk about mistakes, about signing Neymar or not…

Look at Chelsea in recent years. Manchester United hasn’t won anything for 15 years. It makes no sense to say, “that was his mistake, that was good.” The club acts, the club has achieved things, there have been failures, behaviors that weren’t good. It’s a path that led to the title.

Would you still be at PSG if Mbappé had left in 2022?

I don’t know. Our lives are very short, I’ve never been at a club for more than 3 years.

Did Mbappé get you fired?

I don’t know if that was a condition.

Was it a breaking point?

It was a different vision at the time. It’s fine, that’s how it is.

Leonardo: “He wanted to go to Madrid.”

With Mbappé’s entourage?

I had good times, but in the end it was more difficult.

Have you seen him since?

No, no.

You left at that time, for a reason.

Also in 2013, for other reasons. I have regrets, by the way. I didn’t accept the suspension. I should have stayed, I shouldn’t have left.

It’s not always easy to stick to all your principles?

No, it’s not always easy. Especially for Neymar and Mbappé, they were already there, with agreements.

Was it a mistake to sign them?

Difficult, yes. But if you have the opportunity, you take it, I understand that. There’s no point in saying so afterwards.

Did Mbappé stay just for the money?

No, he wanted to go to Madrid. He stayed because he’s Parisian.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.