Mbappe's move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid is the hottest football transfer news in months. For more than a year, expectations have grown from the World Cup-winning member to leave the Parc des Princes for the Bernabeu. It was a free transfer deal, and media speculation and the words of board members on both sides amply fueled the deal, with little goodwill between the two clubs. With Mbappe's contract coming to an end, the possibilities seem to be growing. If the transfer is completed, who will be the biggest beneficiaries and who will be the biggest losers?
For Real Madrid, signing the best player in the world now would be a huge change – and it would all be sweeter if they didn't have to pay a transfer fee at all. Relatively speaking, the Galactico are currently in a weak position compared to Premier League clubs, but grabbing such a player shows that they still have a huge appeal. Spain's top flight will also benefit greatly. In recent years, many superstars have left La Liga, and Messi and Neymar traveled from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in two of the most high-profile examples. Now they have a trump card to fight back. La Liga is still worth the expectations of fans.
For a long time this season, Messi seems to have struggled with his role at Paris Saint-Germain. Now that Mbappe is gone, the focus of everyone's attention and the tactical core of the team is locked on him again, and the Argentine is back in the spotlight he is used to, a chance to regain some reputation after a disappointing first season in France. In addition, before the World Cup in November, France coach Deschamps was able to keep Mbappe and Benzema playing together regularly for four months, which was a huge asset for them. The duo have a superb understanding of the limited game time – they may be unstoppable in Qatar.
For the past 10 years, Paris Saint-Germain has carefully built its reputation as the best club in the world. Mbappe's decision to turn his back on his hometown team – and the wealth they can offer – is in a way a slap in the face and a major blow to their reputation. At the same time, it is difficult to sign their own star players due to debt, and if Real Madrid signs players like Kylian Mbappe, it will put the Catalans in a difficult situation. In fact, in the coming years, they are facing the fate of being dominated by powerful competitors.
If Mbappe does leave Paris for Madrid, the management of Paris Saint-Germain will face huge problems. Sporting director Leonardo has recently begun to come under fire, but criticism of chairman Nasser Alafee is likely to outweigh him. Fans fear the club operates more as a fashion brand than as a football team, and the previously inviolable chairman will be subject to some harsh criticism.