At the Parc des Princes, Paris Saint-Germain is on the lookout for a replacement for Kylian Mbappé, the French star who made a significant impact at Real Madrid. Meanwhile, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is reportedly seeking revenge on the Spanish club.
Kylian Mbappé’s summer transfer to the Santiago Bernabéu, despite being delayed by seven years, was the most high-profile move of the season and a key step in Florentino Pérez’s ongoing efforts to secure Real Madrid’s future. However, Mbappé’s exit from PSG, following the expiration of his contract and his free transfer to Madrid, has not been fully accepted in Paris.
According to *Sport*, PSG is now planning to fill the void left by Mbappé with another major signing, and the club is reportedly eyeing Vinícius Júnior. PSG is said to be waiting for the Brazilian’s contract with Real Madrid to expire in 2027, at which point they hope to secure him on a free transfer.
The report suggests that PSG’s move is partly motivated by a desire for revenge against Real Madrid for losing Mbappé without receiving any compensation. In response, Real Madrid is already taking steps to extend Vinícius’ contract, although the player has requested some time, particularly following the disappointment of losing the Ballon d’Or.
Spanish midfielder Rodri, who was recently awarded the Ballon d’Or, caused a stir after revealing his personal ranking for the prestigious honor. In an interview on November 11, 2024, he stated that he would place himself in first place, followed by his Real Madrid teammate Dani Carvajal in second, and Vinicius Jr. in third. His comments quickly sparked debate, especially given Vinicius’s exclusion from the second spot.
Rodri defended his choices by highlighting his consistency throughout the season. “I won because of my consistency, which is the hardest aspect of football,” he explained. While he acknowledged Vinicius’s impressive performances, especially during Real Madrid’s Champions League triumph, he argued that Carvajal deserved the second spot for his contributions to the team.
Currently sidelined due to a ligament injury since September, Rodri also mentioned that although he didn’t have as many standout moments this season as in the previous one, his overall consistency made him a deserving Ballon d’Or winner. “Maybe I didn’t have as many peaks this season, but in terms of consistency, I believe it’s well deserved,” he said.
His remarks have sparked a lively debate among fans and analysts, with many feeling that Vinicius Jr. should have been ranked higher.
