Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi might influence Kylian Mbappe to choose Liverpool over Real Madrid.
As reported by ESPN, the Paris Saint-Germain superstar is expected to make a decision about his club future in the coming weeks, with Liverpool and Real Madrid emerging as the most probable destinations for the French captain.
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Mbappe’s PSG contract concludes in June, and it is unlikely that he will activate the one-year extension option.
Consequently, he is free to engage in discussions with other clubs for a potential summer move under the Bosman rule.
Real Madrid has been considered the frontrunner for Mbappe’s signature, having come close to securing the forward in May 2022. Meanwhile, Liverpool, under the management of Jurgen Klopp, has maintained an interest in the 25-year-old.
While Liverpool may face financial challenges accommodating Mbappe’s substantial €650,000 per week (£558,920) wages, there is a possibility of persuading him to join the Premier League instead of La Liga.
This move could spark a rivalry with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
Haaland and Mbappe are widely regarded as the world’s top attackers, and Mbappe’s potential move to Liverpool could set the stage for a rivalry akin to the one between Messi and Ronaldo.
Messi and Ronaldo, boasting a combined total of 13 Ballon d’Ors, fueled each other’s greatness during their time at Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively, over almost a decade.
If Mbappe were to choose Liverpool, he would frequently face Haaland and Manchester City, intensifying the competition between the players and teams, mirroring the dynamic of Messi and Ronaldo in the previous generation.
However, ESPN suggests that any prospective move to Liverpool might hinge on the future of Mohamed Salah. Salah was reportedly the subject of a £150 million verbal offer from Saudi Arabia in the recent summer transfer window.
Given Mbappe’s desire to make a decision about his future soon, the timing could pose a significant obstacle to the Frenchman’s potential move to Liverpool.
Furthermore, PSG is reportedly keen on retaining Mbappe, who holds the title of the club’s all-time leading goal scorer.
They believe that a successful first season under manager Luis Enrique, with PSG leading Ligue 1 and advancing to the Champions League knockout stages, could persuade Mbappe to stay.