Kylian Mbappé Opens Up on Liverpool Snub, Ballon d’Or Ambitions and Why He Refuses to Be Silenced
Real Madrid and France star Kylian Mbappé has reflected on the major decisions that have shaped his career, revealing how close he came to joining Liverpool as a teenager while making his ambitions for the Ballon d’Or clear.
By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
September 22, 2026
Kylian Mbappé has offered a revealing look into some of the biggest moments of his career, including his decision to reject Liverpool as a teenager, his pursuit of the Ballon d’Or and his determination to remain outspoken despite criticism.
In an interview with The Athletic, the Real Madrid forward explained that Liverpool came remarkably close to signing him during his breakthrough years at Monaco.
At the time, Mbappé was only 18 and was already attracting attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Mbappé was close to joining Liverpool
Mbappé said his mother and agent, Fayza Lamari, strongly preferred Liverpool and had become impressed with the club after visiting Anfield and meeting people involved in the negotiations.
His mother was also a major admirer of then-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
According to Mbappé, she wanted him to experience playing at Anfield and believed Liverpool would be an ideal destination for his development.
Klopp has previously recalled Liverpool’s efforts to sign the young Frenchman, including arranging a private flight from England to France for discussions with Mbappé and his family.
The meeting, however, did not result in a transfer.
Mbappé ultimately chose Paris Saint-Germain, explaining that his priority at the time was to remain in his home country.
He wanted to establish himself in Paris before considering a move abroad.
“I wanted to play in my city, in Paris,” Mbappé explained, according to reports on the interview.
The decision proved significant for his career. He joined PSG, initially on loan from Monaco before the transfer became permanent, and went on to become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer before eventually moving to Real Madrid in 2024.
A record-breaking year and the Ballon d’Or
Mbappé is now focused on another major milestone: winning the Ballon d’Or for the first time.
The French captain believes his performances over the past year have strengthened his case for the individual award.
He scored 42 goals in 44 appearances for Real Madrid last season and later scored 10 goals for France at the 2026 World Cup.
His World Cup campaign also saw him become the tournament’s all-time leading goalscorer, taking his total to 22 goals.
Mbappé has acknowledged that he would be disappointed if he failed to win the Ballon d’Or, although he insists the award is not an obsession.
For him, the competition is part of the ambition that comes with being an elite footballer.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for October 26 in London, with Mbappé among the leading names on the shortlist.
Refusing to change who he is
One of the recurring themes in Mbappé’s recent interviews has been his willingness to speak openly, even when his comments attract criticism.
The French forward has previously made confident statements about his own performances and his belief that he belongs among the world’s best players.
Rather than changing his personality to satisfy his critics, Mbappé has indicated that he intends to remain himself.
That approach has sometimes generated controversy, particularly during discussions surrounding the Ballon d’Or and his comparisons with other leading players.
Mbappé has also addressed reports of tension with France teammate Ousmane Dembélé, who won the previous Ballon d’Or.
He said there was no serious problem between the two players and described Dembélé as a friend.
From Paris teenager to Real Madrid superstar
Mbappé’s career has developed rapidly since his emergence at Monaco.
He moved to PSG after rejecting Liverpool and spent seven seasons in Paris, becoming one of the most prolific forwards in European football.
In 2024, he finally completed his long-awaited move to Real Madrid.
His individual numbers in Spain have been impressive, although the club has yet to secure the major trophies many expected following his arrival.
Mbappé’s current challenge is therefore not simply about personal records.
He wants to add major silverware with Real Madrid while establishing himself as the world’s leading player.
His pursuit of the Ballon d’Or forms part of that wider ambition.
A career shaped by major choices
Looking back, the Liverpool episode represents one of the most intriguing “what if” moments of Mbappé’s career.
Had he followed his mother’s preference and moved to Anfield, the trajectory of European football could have looked very different.
Instead, he chose to remain in France, became a PSG icon and eventually fulfilled his long-standing ambition of playing for Real Madrid.
Now, at 27, Mbappé finds himself in another defining chapter.
With a World Cup scoring record, an established legacy in France and a growing list of individual achievements, the next question is whether he can finally add the Ballon d’Or to his collection.
For Mbappé, however, the message remains consistent: he intends to make his own decisions, speak his mind and continue pursuing the highest possible level of success.
