Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Winning Champions League matter of pride for me: Mbappe

“We are very happy; we beat a team that we wanted to beat and to be closer to the final.’’

• April 17, 2024
Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe [Photo: football-espana]

Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe has said helping his hometown club to finally win their first Champions League title is a matter of pride for him.

This was after he scored twice to help guide his side to a 4-1 comeback win at FC Barcelona and into the semi-finals with a 6-4 aggregate victory on Tuesday.

Mbappe, who is set to leave PSG in the summer with Real Madrid as the biggest favourite to sign him, told reporters that his future is not in his mind and that his focus is totally on bringing glory to the French capital.

“I have the dream of winning the Champions League for Paris,” Mbappe told reporters at Barcelona Olympic stadium on Tuesday.

“I’m proud to be at PSG since the first day. It’s not because there are good times and bad times that my pride takes a hit. The pride of playing for this club, of representing the club of the capital of my country, it’s something special for me who grew up there.

“To experience an evening like this one as a Parisian, it’s great. We have one more step to go before we reach the final in Wembley, so we need to stay calm.”

After losing 3-2 in the first leg in Paris, PSG fought-back down 1-0 at FC Barcelona after the locals went down to 10 men just before the half-hour.

This was when last man Ronald Araujo was red-carded for fouling Bradley Barcola.

Former FC Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele equalised for the visitors just before the break while Vitinha and Mbappe finished the job in the second half.

The result meant PSG would face Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals after the Germans beat Atletico Madrid also on Tuesday.

PSG achieved success having failed to get past the round of 16 in the last two seasons and being pinned against the ropes by a FC Barcelona side who were in the ascendancy.

The Parisian put on a gritty performance to make the most of the home side’s mistakes and turn the tie around.

“We beat a great team this evening, but even if we had lost, I would be proud to be Parisian. Now it’s certain that during evenings like this, the pride is even greater,” Mbappe said.

“We are very happy; we beat a team that we wanted to beat and to be closer to the final. This one is for the fans that came here to support us and those back home. It’s a night to be proud.”

(Reuters/NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Governor Dauda Lawal

States

Zamfara govt. to deal with workers receiving multiple salaries

He advised them to support the present administration in its determination to sanitise the state civil service.

NLC TUC

States

Anambra labour unions call for establishment of civil, judicial service commissions for workers’ rights

They also called for the appointment of a special adviser on labour matters in the state.

Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE)

Economy

Frequent changes in customs duty exchange rate bad for business: CPPE

“It is extremely difficult for investors to plan under these unstable circumstances.”

Anambra Sports Development Commission

States

756 schools to compete in Anambra sports festival

He said the festival, which would be held between May 2 and June 7, would be bigger and better than the 2023 edition.

Recep Erdoğan and Benjamin Netanyahu

Heading 4

Turkey to join South Africa’s genocide lawsuit against Israel

Mr Erdoğan also accused Israel of committing “genocide.”

Taiwan workers

World

May Day: Taiwanese unions protest, demand better working conditions

“Our government should find ways to overcome difficulties,” the union leader added.