The superstar has been non-committal about his future, but that will have to change soon

Here we are again. Two years after it first happened, 12 months after it happened again, and within touching distance of when everything seemed to fall apart, Real Madrid's love affair with Kylian Mbappe has been resurrected.

Once again, Mbappe, the financial and marketing baron, is the orchestrator of the saga. This is a player who knows that both teams dearly covet his service, whether or not they care to admit it. He is aware that PSG will happily pay up, again, to keep him on board. He also knows that Madrid will stretch their financial sinews, waive valuable image rights, and break usual contract structures to attain his services.

It's something he has articulated recently, after PSG's win over Toulouse in the Trophee des Champions.

"I haven’t made my decision. I didn't make a choice. But in any case, with the agreement I made with the president this summer, whatever my decision we managed to protect all the parties."

It led to the kind of furore that Mbappe perhaps wanted. Madrid are reportedly fuming; PSG have tried to keep calm. Meanwhile, the superstar is in control, but this is not something he can maintain forever. This is endgame for Mbappe. And, at some point, the world's most coveted footballer has to make a decision.

GettyTurning down Madrid for the first time

Madrid were convinced it was all sorted in 2022. Depending on which version of the story you believe — and there are a lot of them — Mbappe had given his word to Real president Florentino Perez. He was set to be a Real Madrid player that summer. Madridistas had already generated online hype; the photoshopped kits emerged on social media; there was the standard talk of real estate agents contacted, house viewings scheduled. Mbappe to Madrid was a-go.

And then came the dramatic U-turn. Mbappe, whether by money or loyalty, had a change of heart. The move collapsed. In May, he announced that he would pen a new deal at PSG, and admitted that he considered Madrid's interest.

"I would like to sincerely thank Real Madrid… I am aware of the chance and privilege I had at being coveted by such an institution. I will be their biggest fan in the Champions League final. At my home.”

The terms of his newfound deal were generous, money beyond what football players generally conceive as realistic.

This was not as much a contract as a dowry, a series of payments structured to guarantee loyalty, the terms to cement a successful relationship. Three years, with an option to leave after two. €72 million (£63m/$77m) per season. An extra €70m ($75m/£60m) for every year he decided to stay. And PSG, after being so royally torn apart in the negotiations, announced Mbappe's renewal with the kind of fanfare that they might offer a new signing. There were fireworks, flashing lights, and loud music. And at the centre of it all stood one player, a smug Mbappe with the kind of grin of someone who had just procured unimaginable wealth.

AdvertisementGettyA chaotic 2022-23 season

Then, the story gets murky, moving further into the realm of rumour and hearsay. The Spanish press claimed that Mbappe practically begged to leave PSG within weeks of penning the new deal, and was on the phone with Perez as soon as possible.

By October, it emerged that Mbappe was already exploring the possibility of leaving PSG, his so-called "entourage" looking into future options (including one Spanish team that play in white). The French press, meanwhile, insisted that Mbappe was happy, best mates with World Cup rival Lionel Messi and, despite his openly antagonistic non-relationship with Neymar – something neither player did anything to hide – Mbappe was considering staying in Paris.

Of course, he remained at the club throughout the 2022-23 season — albeit not without controversy. At numerous points, the winger manipulated storylines, and controlled the narrative around his future moves. He highlighted Bayern Munich's quality after a Champions League loss, suggesting that the German side were simply built to win the competition in a way that PSG were not. He engaged in open revolt over a season ticket campaign, which the Parisians swiftly erased from public view. On-pitch success, though, masked all of this. PSG won Ligue 1, Mbappe won the Golden Boot, and became the club's all-time leading goal-scorer. His late run of form helped revive a languishing season. The Parisians could hardly complain about a superstar keeping them in the running.

GettyThe message sent in writing

Everything seemed pointed towards a reasonably quiet summer in the Mbappe saga in 2023. The forward was, of course, under contract, and Madrid's purchase of Jude Bellingham meant that Los Blancos were financially hamstrung — even if they saved some cash with the departure of Karim Benzema.

But Mbappe — as he always does — changed things. He informed the Parisians in writing – just to make it official – that he would not be picking up the extra option to extend his contract at the end of the 2023-24 season. Yes, he wanted to stick around until 2024. After that, though, he couldn't guarantee anything.

The consensus was that it was all a cry out to Perez, but Perez didn't bite. Instead, Saudi Arabia came knocking. PSG accepted a mammoth bid for Mbappe from Pro League side Al-Hilal, who were willing to pay the Parisians €300m (£259m/$332m). But with€700m (£605m/$776m) on the table for just one year's commitment, and a gentleman's agreement that he would be allowed to play for Madrid in 2024, Mbappe refused to negotiate. He would have become, by some margin, not only the most expensive but also the highest-paid athlete in sports history. But Madrid were the only club he would leave Paris for.

GettyA well-behaved Mbappe

For the Parisians, Mbappe made the perfect decision. It became clear that Madrid wouldn't come knocking, but the Frenchman simply could not turn down the opportunity to play football. Somewhere in there is an athlete who loves playing this sport. PSG didn't exploit that as much as stumble upon it. Mbappe, in effect, showed his hand too soon. He returned from training exile, and was hurried back into the squad.

Only this time, things look a bit different. Mbappe is still a global megastar, one of the best players in the world, and a marketing tool like no other. He still wears AirMax boots, flaunts his signature celebration, and makes millions with every social media post. But now, under new manager Luis Enrique, Mbappe is part of a team. Yes, he's a star, and the best player PSG have, but he's also not entirely crucial to the system. For the first time since he arrived in Paris, he isn't leading a side that caters to him.

And neither will the manager. Luis Enrique has openly criticised Mbappe on a handful of occasions, slamming the forward for his lack of effort. Mbappe can still get away with poor defensive contributions — he often does, in fact. But he isn't above blame, either.