Mbappe reveals he snubbed Liverpool move to stay in France despite mother's preference

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe revealed in September 2026 that he nearly joined Liverpool in 2017 when leaving AS Monaco, but chose Paris Saint-Germain (initially on loan, then permanent) to remain in France, despite his mother's strong preference for Liverpool after her visits to Anfield. His mother met with Jürgen Klopp, watched matches, and fell in love with the club's family atmosphere, urging Mbappe to join the Reds.

Mbappe explained he wanted to play in his city Paris and not leave France before establishing himself professionally. While he respected Klopp and had a good relationship with him, he prioritized staying home. Mbappe ultimately left PSG for Real Madrid in subsequent years, completing his journey from Monaco to Paris to Madrid.

This revelation adds context to one of football's major transfer sagas, showing how family influence and personal comfort zones shaped his early career decisions. For Nigerian football fans, it prompts consideration of how elite athletes balance familial advice, national loyalty, and club ambition—even when Premier League giants like Liverpool under Klopp build strong cases through engagement with players' families.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/22/epl-why-i-snubbed-move-to-liverpool-kylian-mbappe/