Kylian Mbappe revealed that he was very close to Liverpool when he was only 18 years old, before deciding to join Paris Saint-Germain and begin his journey to become one of the world's top stars.
In an interview with the media, Mbappe said he had a private meeting with Jurgen Klopp, then Liverpool coach, on a private plane in southern France in the summer of 2017.
Mbappe's mother and representative, Fayza Lamari, also attended the meeting. Klopp then tried to persuade the French striker to leave Monaco to move to Anfield, instead of staying in his hometown and joining PSG.
At that time I was playing for Monaco and had to make a decision. I was very close to Liverpool. My mother was a big fan of Jurgen Klopp and loved Liverpool very much. She wanted me to join this team" - Mbappe recounted.
Ms. Lamari even went directly to Anfield to feel the atmosphere at this stadium. Mbappe's mother has a lot of sympathy for Liverpool and often urges her son to choose the English team.
My mother came to Anfield and was immediately attracted to this place. My mother watched a few matches alone to feel the atmosphere at the stadium, because she wanted to imagine I would play there" - Mbappe shared.
During the negotiation process, Mbappe often asked his mother about her choice. The answer was almost always Liverpool.
I often ask: "What do you think?". She always says you should go to Liverpool. I just respond that okay, okay, okay! Jurgen Klopp is a great coach. I have met him and have a very good relationship with him. I have great respect for him" - Mbappe said.
However, the French striker ultimately did not choose Liverpool. At that time, Mbappe wanted to continue playing in France and especially longed to play football in the city where he was born and raised.
I didn't listen to my mother because I wanted to play football in my hometown of Paris. I didn't want to leave the country before I became famous" - Mbappe explained.
Klopp once revealed about this meeting earlier this year in an interview with Magenta TV. The former Liverpool coach called this the "most expensive unsuccessful deal" that the team has ever made.
Liverpool could not convince Mbappe. The French striker joined PSG on loan in the 2017-2018 season before signing an official contract a year later. He played for the Paris team until 2024, then moved to Real Madrid.
Looking back at the decision in 2017, Mbappe affirmed that choosing PSG came from the desire to assert himself right in his hometown.
In the end, I decided to go to PSG because for someone born and raised in Paris like me, there is no greater feeling than proving that I can become a star right at home" - Mbappe added.
