An iconic transfer saga has just ended, cementing itself in the history books. Footballing superstar Kylian Mbappé, had the choice to sign for Real Madrid or extend at Paris Saint Germain. The decision went on for two seasons and on Saturday 21st May, the Frenchman signed a contract, extending his stay in Paris until 2025.
Many compared the situation to that of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009, who forced a move from a European dominating Manchester United side to a struggling Real Madrid. In a mission to conquer football, CR7 continued his legacy at the Santiago Bernabéu, thus creating his famous RM arc.
“Why didn’t Kylian follow the same route?” People wondered. Claims that he was avoiding dare, scared of the challenge.
Cristiano HUNTED that Madrid challenge. It fueled him, he embaraced the pressure. These new boys are running from the grind smh.
— Kam #8🏁 (@Culturecams) May 19, 2022
But what if it’s more than that? Deeper than a glory-hunting legacy. Perhaps, the beginning of a player-power movement in football.
A wave of comparisons to Lebron James circulated throughout social media. Mbappé will hold similar control that James possessed throughout his major career. Signings. Coaches. Departures. Directors. Integral pieces of a club’s proceedings, that will now fall into the spiraling web of power, belonging to the most important player on the team. Put Kylian on the accounting division in Paris and best know he will be balancing the books in his spare time, too.
Whilst ‘player-power’ has always been a thing in football, this is certainly the first explicit example of it.
For example, Lionel Messi at Barcelona. Throughout his 18 years at the club, the Argentinian was *arguably* bigger than FCB. When you think of Barca, you think of Leo; fans would pour into Camp Nou to witness his presence. The LM10 image rights, shirt sales, and match tickets held Barcelona upfloat and that holds weight in the hierarchy. Whether Mbappé will be able to push out an entire board of directors like Messi once did, who knows.
Kylian will now hold the most control within the Parisian dressing room, the 23-year-old will have more power than Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, and Sergio Ramos. Veterans of the game bowing down to the new kid.
Following the renewal:
- Sporting Director Leonardo Araújo and Manager Mauricio Pochettino are set to leave the club.
- Reports that Neymar Jr will be made available in the summer.
- Transfer targets Aurélien Tchouaméni and Ousmane Dembélé are *now* open to the idea of Paris Saint Germain.
Say hello to the Kylian Mbappe era.
