Mbappé says he wants to compete in the Paris Olympics – 01/17/2024 – Sport

French striker Kylian Mbappé, 25, stated that he wants to compete in the Olympic Games that will be held between July 26 and August 11, in Paris. Speaking to GQ França magazine, he also spoke about the possibility of leaving PSG (Paris Saint-Germain).

“If you allow me [participar da competição], I’ll be happy, but if it’s not possible, I’ll understand. For any athlete, the Olympic Games hold a special place,” said the player.

He also stated that he would like to have already participated in the Tokyo Olympic Games, initially scheduled to take place in 2020, but postponed to 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time, the French team fell in the group stage, falling behind Japan and Mexico.

The Paris Olympics will feature 16 teams in the men’s tournament and 12 in the women’s tournament. While there is no age restriction for women, for men, only players up to 23 years of age can compete, with permission, since the Atlanta-96 Games, for up to three players above that age to be called up.

France won a gold medal in the sport in 1984, at the Los Angeles Games. Brazil beat Brazil 2-0 in the final. The country also won silver in the Paris edition in 1900.

“I want to win everything and write my name in the history of the French national team as a player who made a difference,” said Mbappé.

He also stated that he could leave PSG, where he has been since 2017. With the club, he won the French Championship five times. His current contract with the club extends until June 2024.

“Many great players who marked the history of football left Europe this summer and we are entering a new era of football. It’s the cycle of this sport and at some point it will be my turn to leave,” said the Frenchman. “I’m not worried about these changes. I simply think about continuing with my career and following my own path.”