Cyrille de la Morinerie / Photo credit: JULIAN FINNEY / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP
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8:25 a.m., June 15, 2023
While the TV rights of French football are about to be renegotiated, the possible departure of Kylian Mbappé from PSG worries the leaders of French clubs. In the absence of the Bondynois at PSG, Ligue 1, already orphaned by Lionel Messi, would lose a real locomotive.
Could a possible headlong rush of stars at PSG harm the entire Ligue 1? Anyway, the leaders of the tricolor clubs do not hide their concern at the possible departure of Kylian Mbappé from PSG this summer. Monday evening, the Parisian star informed the club, via a letter, that he does not wish to exercise the option of an additional year appearing in his contract which expires in 2024.
A statement which thus makes the hypothesis of a departure this summer much more plausible. At the same time, Neymar’s future in the capital is also uncertain and Lionel Messi has already set his sights on Inter Miami in the United States. All while the TV rights of French football, whose money is then redistributed to the clubs, will soon be renegotiated.
“Always better to have a gondola head”
For Jean-Pierre Caillot, representative of Ligue 1 clubs, Kylian Mbappé represents a considerable asset for French football. “When you’re lucky enough to have the best player in the world, who is French and who plays in our league, obviously you have to look very closely at what’s going to happen in the weeks to come. It’s obviously more chic , it’s always better to have a gondola head. And God knows that Kylian is magnificent for the promotion of our product”.
The showdown started between the 24-year-old star and PSG comes at the worst of times because the League hopes to upgrade the TV rights of its championship and reach one billion euros per season. The next call for tenders will be launched in two months for the period 2024-2028. And even if Kylian Mbappé assures that he will indeed wear the PSG jersey next season, club presidents risk biting their nails until August 31, the closing date of the transfer market.