Ex-PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino reveals Kylian Mbappe always dreamt of joining Real Madrid

Rajarshi has been part of Khel Now since 2022, and he covers world football.

Published at :September 3, 2025 at 10:24 PM

Modified at :September 3, 2025 at 10:24 PM

Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid Champions League

(Courtesy : Getty Images)

The Frenchman finally joined Los Blancos in the summer of 2024.

According to Mauricio Pochettino, during his time as coach of Paris Saint-Germain, Kylian Mbappe’s “eyes shone” for Real Madrid.

When Madrid first approached the Ligue 1 powerhouse about a transfer for Mbappe in 2022, the Argentine manager was in the Parc des Princes dugout. However, PSG at the time turned down Madrid’s offer.

In the summer of 2024, Mbappe completed a free move to Santiago Bernabeu, fulfilling his lifelong ambition of playing for Los Blancos. Prior to Mbappe’s contract expiring at the Parc des Princes, Real had made several high-profile attempts to sign him but had been unsuccessful.

Pochettino opened up about Mbappe’s ambitions of joining Madrid during his time at PSG

Mauricio Pochettino says Mbappe was eager to move to Madrid during his time at PSG

While working with the Frenchman at PSG from 2021 to 2022, Pochettino acknowledged that he could see Mbappe’s ambition for Real.

Speaking to El Chiringuito, the current USMNT boss said: “PSG is one of the strongest clubs. I still have a great relationship with the Emir and Nasser (Al-Khelaïfi). You’re not going to scare them.

“It was a difficult time for Kylian. He’s always dreamed of going to Real Madrid since he was a child. I knew it. He’s a great boy. Going to achieve your dreams sometimes means betraying a given word.

“I was the coach who saw him as a boy who came to you for advice. It wasn’t easy. I could no longer go against my interests, I was the coach of PSG.

“But I saw a boy whose eyes shone for another club. It’s very difficult. I always had the same message with him.

“I was loyal to my club and my values. In the end, he stayed in Paris, but he managed to achieve his dream.”

Meanwhile, Mbappe has joined the France national squad and will play for Didier Deschamps’ team in their September 5 and September 9 World Cup qualifying matches against Iceland and Ukraine, respectively.

When did Madrid first approach PSG for Mbappe?

They first approached the club for Mbappe in the summer of 2021.

For how many seasons did Pochettino manage PSG?

He was the manager there from 2021 to 2022.

When did Real Madrid finally sign Mbappe?

In 2024, Mbappe joined the LaLiga giants for free.

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Rajarshi Shukla

After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.