Kylian Mbappé has revealed that he was once close to joining Liverpool, with his mother strongly pushing for the move because of her admiration for former manager Jurgen Klopp, Softfootball reports.
The Real Madrid forward opened up about the transfer that could have dramatically changed the course of his career, explaining that Liverpool was his mother’s preferred destination for him during his early years.
c She was impressed by the atmosphere, describing the club as a family environment and a major institution.
She also watched Liverpool matches at Anfield by herself because she wanted to understand what it would feel like to see her son playing at the stadium.
According to Mbappé, his mother repeatedly encouraged him to choose Liverpool, particularly because of Klopp, whom the Frenchman also admired. Mbappé eventually met the German coach and developed a strong relationship with him.
However, the France captain ultimately decided against leaving his country at that stage because he wanted to establish himself in Paris before making a move abroad. He remained with Paris Saint-Germain before eventually joining Real Madrid.
Softfootball understands that the revelation highlights just how close Liverpool came to landing one of the world’s biggest football stars before his career developed into what it is today.
Meanwhile, Mbappé remains confident about his chances of winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or despite fierce competition from players including Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane. He has publicly backed his own chances after a prolific campaign, pointing to his goals in major competitions and his record-breaking World Cup campaign.
The Ballon d’Or winner will be announced on October 26, with Mbappé among the leading names in contention.
