Kylian Mbappé has spelled out in his own words that he came close to signing for Liverpool as a teenager at Monaco, only pulling back because he wanted to play for his hometown club.

“It was while I was playing in Monaco. I had to make a decision. And yes, I was close to Liverpool,” the France captain told The Athletic.

His mother, he said, was the one pushing hardest for the move to Anfield.

“I didn’t listen because I wanted to play in my city, Paris.”

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Mbappé also gave his own account of the now-famous meeting with Jürgen Klopp above the south of France.

“I remember we were on the plane and we were turning around and around in the air while he was explaining his project.”

He ultimately signed for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, a choice he framed as sentimental rather than sporting.

“In the end, I decided to go to PSG because for me, born and raised in Paris, there was no better feeling than to show I could be a star in my home town.”

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Klopp told the story from the other side during the 2026 World Cup. Speaking to MagentaTV as a pundit, the former Liverpool manager described flying from Blackpool to Nice, boarding a private jet with five rooms belonging to the Mbappé family, and circling in the sky for hours before the deal collapsed.

Learning under Mourinho

Mbappé is now working with his fourth head coach in just over two seasons at Real Madrid. José Mourinho was appointed on a three-year deal in June 2026, taking over from Álvaro Arbeloa.

“Way before he arrived here, I was really curious about him,” Mbappé said of the Portuguese coach.

“It’s such a privilege to have him back.”

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From bedroom poster to friend

The player whose Real Madrid posters once covered Mbappé’s teenage bedroom walls is now part of his inner circle.

“Cristiano Ronaldo used to be my idol; now he is my friend,” he said.

“I love to spend time with him; he gives me advice, he supports me and knows I will always support him.”

No shame about the Ballon d’Or

Asked about the individual prize he has not yet won, Mbappé was direct.

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“I have no shame. I’m not scared to say what I think. I think I had a good year. Many people have said I had a good year and connected me with the trophy.”

France finished fourth at the 2026 World Cup, losing 6-4 to England in the third-place play-off. Mbappé still left the tournament as the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 22 goals, overtaking Lionel Messi.

“There is no bigger achievement than the World Cup,” he said.

“I didn’t expect to be the top scorer of all time at the World Cup, at 27.”

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