• Friday, March 29, 2024
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Mbappe scoops three Ligue 1 awards, drops PSG exit hint

Kylian Mbappe-Lique 1-awards

20-year-old Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star, Kylian Mbappe,  has scooped all three major awards  at the 2019 UNFP awards ceremony;  Ligue 1 Player of the Season,  Ligue 1 Young Player of the Season, and a member of the Ligue 1 XI of the season, sending clear message to PSG and any potential suitors.

World Cup winner, Mbappe has been linked with a blockbuster transfer to LaLiga giants Real Madrid, though the  France international reassured fans last month that he would stay in Paris.

However, Mbappe cast doubt over his future after being crowned Ligue 1’s Best Player and Best Young Player of the Year.

“This was the only title that I was missing. I am truly very happy,” Mbappe – who has scored 32 Ligue 1 goals this season – said as he received the award.

“I want to thank all of the people who put together this league. I succeeded in adapting in my first year, to change position this year.

“There were some disappointments, but that is part of football. This is a very important moment for me.

“I am arriving at the second turning point in my career. I have discovered an enormous amount of things here.

“It is maybe the moment to have more responsibilities, maybe at PSG, with pleasure, or elsewhere for a new project. In any case, thanks everyone.”

Mbappe, who has won back-to-back Ligue 1 titles since arriving from Monaco, later added: “I said what I had to say. When you are in such an occasion you can send messages, I think I have sent mine.

“If I speak more it will be too much and that is not the message I wish to send.”

Mbappe’s two-goal haul in Saturday’s 4-0 rout of Dijon saw him become the first Frenchman to score 32 league goals in a Ligue 1 season since Philippe Gondet did so for Nantes in 1965-66.

Mbappe had an interesting season where he scored 38 goals in all competitions for PSG.

Mbappe is the first player to win  the UNFP Young Player of the Year in three consecutive seasons, after winning it in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

 

Anthony Nlebem

@AnthonyNlebem