French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly joked with Kylian Mbappe about his decision to leave PSG at a state dinner on Tuesday evening. 

Mbappe was the surprise guest of Macron at the Elysee Palace, just weeks after informing the French giants that he will be departing the club at the end of the season. 

The France captain has been the Ligue 1 side’s star player since moving to the Parc des Princes in 2018, but he has long been linked with a blockbuster transfer to Real Madrid. 

The 25-year-old has agreed terms with the LaLiga side – who he almost joined in 2022 – but neither PSG nor Real have shared a formal statement announcing the player’s decision. 

Mail Sport reported last week that the World Cup winner is set to take a massive pay cut upon joining Carlo Ancelotti’s side, as he currently earns an eye-watering €25million (£21.4m) net per season in the French capital. 

Kylian Mbappe was invited for dinner by French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday

Kylian Mbappe was invited for dinner by French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday

Macron reportedly joked with Kylian Mbappe about his decision to leave PSG at the soiree

Macron reportedly joked with Kylian Mbappe about his decision to leave PSG at the soiree 

The dinner was in honour of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al-Thani (right)

And on Tuesday, Mbappe was invited by Macron to a dinner in honour of the visit of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al-Thani. 

Several other big names from French-Qatari business were also present, including PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who heads the club’s Qatar Sports Investments ownership group, while the head of the French Professional Football League, Vincent Labrune, was summoned.

Sheikh Tamim is thought to have been invited to the capital by France’s premier in a bid to help aid negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding a ceasefire and the release of hostages. 

And according to French outlet RMC, Mbappe was reportedly greeted by Macron when arriving at the palace, as the 46-year-old said: ‘You’re going to create problems for us,’ presumably in response to his decision to leave Qatari-owned PSG.

However, it is believed Macron said it facetiously and with a smile on his face.

The French president went onto give a speech hailing the Qatar World Cup, with the Middle Eastern state set to invest €10bn (£8.6m) into French infrastructure over the coming years.

In the speech, Macron added: ‘There are also so many beautiful memories, in less serious but as vibrant moments as this 2022 World Cup. Kylian Mbappe’s extraordinary game, the memory of (Randal) Kolo Muani’s saved shot, which still remains bitter in French hearts. 

‘But that’s the thing with the king of sports. They have had a fantastic tournament, with what I think was the most spectacular final in history. France was there with its fans, its security forces, its companies like RATP and its footballers.’

Back in 2022, Macron’s links with Mbappe came under heavy scrutiny when he reportedly spoke with the PSG star and helped to convince him to sign a new contract and snub Real Madrid, although he was not believed to have made any attempts to try and get him to stay this year.

However, at the end of last season, Mbappe was quick to deny that Macron had played a role in trying to persuade him to remain at the French club, after the forward sent a letter in June to PSG detailing his decision not to extend his contract – which expires this summer.

‘What influence does the president have? On my career today, in 2023, none,’ Mbappe told reporters ahead of France’s round of European Championship qualifiers later that month. 

During a speech at the dinner, Macron hailed the Qatar 2022 World Cup final as the best ever

During a speech at the dinner, Macron hailed the Qatar 2022 World Cup final as the best ever

Macron reportedly convinced Mbappe to stay at PSG in 2022, amid interest from Real Madrid

Macron reportedly convinced Mbappe to stay at PSG in 2022, amid interest from Real Madrid

‘He wants me to stay in Paris, my objective is to stay (for next season). We’re on the same wavelength’. 

Macron – whose term will end in 2027 due to France’s two-term constitutional limit – previously shared that in 2022 he had spoken to Mbappe about his future playing in his country’s top-flight. 

‘Yes, it is true that I had a conversation with Kylian Mbappe before he made a firm decision about his future,’ Macron said in June of that year.

‘In it, I merely advised him, in a totally informal way, to remain in France. I believe it is my responsibility, as president, to defend the country when asked in an informal and friendly manner.’ 

Macron will be hoping Mbappe helps guide France to glory when Paris hosts the Olympic Games this summer, with the PSG star keen to represent his country in the football tournament at the event. 

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Post source: Daily mail

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