Paris Saint-Germain and France superstar Kylian Mbappe has confirmed that he will discuss with his club the possibility of playing at the 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo next summer, although not at the expense of Euro 2020. There are nine days between the two tournaments.
France haven’t reached the Olympics since 1996 but have qualified for 2020 by virtue of finishing in the top four of this year’s Under-21 European Championship.
At the age of 21, Mbappe is eligible to for tournament, which is restricted to Under-23 players with the exception of three designated ‘overage’ individuals.
Mbappe has already achieved so much in his young career and was named French Player of the Year for the second time just a few days after turning 21. But an Olympic gold medal is an increasingly coveted prize at a global level.
But with France’s priority being Euro 2020 and likely concerns from PSG over a lack of summer rest were he to play both competitions back-to-back, it could delay his Olympic dream.
“Of course I want to go, but if my club, which is my employer, does not want me to go, I will not go to clash,” Mbappe told France Football, who preside over French Player of the Year.
A discussion with PSG sporting director Leonardo is the next logical step.
“We will soon talk about it with Leo,” Mbappe explained. “[France coach] Didier Deschamps was categorical: it will never be at the expense of the Euros. I reassured him by telling him that I also wanted to compete in the Euros.”
Mbappe’s PSG teammate Neymar previously won an Olympic gold medal on home soil with Brazil in 2016. If the youngster doesn’t make it to Tokyo, he could instead aim for the same when the Olympics are held in Paris in 2024.
“If I don’t manage to go [to the Olympics] in 2020, I will have 2024 in Paris more, because I would really like to make the Olympics at least once in my career,” he said.
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