Before the L1 Classic, PSG-OM, this Sunday evening at 8:45 p.m. at the Parc des Princes, PSG president Nasser al-Khelaïfi sent a strong compliment to Kylian Mbappé, author of a fanfare start to the season ( 8 goals in 5 matches in all competitions), during an informal meeting with journalists, Saturday morning, at the club’s training center in Poissy.
“The problems we had stay in the family and Kylian is part of the family”
Nasser al-Khelaïfi, president of Paris-SG
“We have the best player in the world and for me, he deserves the Ballon d’Or,” maintains the Qatari leader who puts a modest handkerchief on the tumultuous summer and the contractual situation of the 24-year-old striker. The problems we had stay in the family and Kylian is part of the family. I’m proud of what he’s doing – and what the whole team is doing,” al-Khelaïfi continues.
After PSG’s successful entry into the Champions League, winner of Dortmund (2-0) last Tuesday, he assured that “the Champions League is not at all an obsession”, insisting above all on “the new identity » that the club wants to build with Luis Enrique: “We are building a team that really plays like a team – we want our players to enjoy playing, our staff to enjoy coaching and our supporters to enjoy watching the game. spectacle that they have before their eyes. »
“Messi was and remains an incredible player”
Nasser al-Khelaïfi, president of Paris-SG
Asked about the recent statements of Lionel Messi, who has increased his criticism of PSG since his departure to Inter Miami in MLS, notably deploring a lack of recognition from the Parisian club after his world champion title, al-Khelaïfi does not want fueling the controversy with the Argentinian, who he said “was and remains an incredible player” and his “pride” in having had him in Paris.
“We talk a lot outside, I don’t know what he said or what he didn’t say,” eludes the leader. We celebrated Messi in training (on his return from Qatar) and we also celebrated him in private. But it was tricky to celebrate at the stadium. We must respect the country he defeated – his teammates on the French team, and our supporters. »
A Ligue 1 in progress according to the leader of PSG
The president of PSG also advocates for the French Championship, believing that it has progressed over the last two seasons. “People sometimes talk about Ligue 1 in a negative way, in an unfair way,” he regrets. It’s not an easy Championship. People think it’s easy and when they arrive, they realize it’s a difficult Championship. The key to ensuring the success of Ligue 1 is to manage to keep local talent and also to have a more international approach, not just domestic. This is how leagues grow. »
