PSG – Saint-Etienne (3-1): “Being the top scorer in the history of PSG, you can’t spit on it,” says Kylian Mbappé

It was worth waiting for midnight and dust in the mixed zone of the Parc des Princes. Kylian Mbappé is the only Parisian to have presented himself to the media. At the end of a match where his double and his decisive pass allowed PSG to beat Saint-Étienne (3-1), the 23-year-old world champion had a smile and things to say, starting with the 156 goals he now has in the Paris jersey. He did not hide that he would like to go for Cavani’s 200-goal record… A sign for his future?

The match started badly for Paris, but can we say that you overturned the match?

KYLIAN MBAPPE. No.. It’s true that we started at a pace somewhat similar to that of Nantes. We were a little surprised, a little upset, jostled by this team from Saint-Étienne. Afterwards there was a tactical reorganization but also in intensity and intentions. We started to deploy our game once more, to create situations, to be more dangerous. And we managed to equalize before the end of the first half. I think that put us in the best position to then force the decision. We did it quickly in the second half. We continue with the third goal and then we manage the end of the match.

How to explain these two faces of PSG?

We want to win. The coach at the break reminded us a bit. He told us that we wanted to win, that we wanted to deploy the game and that it was not conceivable to be in so much difficulty. Here, we wanted to immediately put ourselves in the best position to have the game in hand. That’s what we did. We scored quickly and scored two goals in quick succession. And that helps. We hit the amounts, we might have weighed down the score a bit, but it’s still a great evening.

Especially with these 156 goals with PSG, like Zlatan Ibrahimovic. There is Cavani in front, we may have to stay another year…

(He smiles for a long time) No, Zlatan, when you know what he did here, it’s symbolic. It means that I am in high standards. We are in a very, very closed circle. It shows that I succeeded during these four, five years to evolve in very high spheres. Here, I manage to equal it. I think that if there are no big problems I will overcome it. And of course there is still Edi. We’ll see how it goes. But being the top scorer in the history of PSG, you can’t spit on it. So we’ll see what will happen. But we have to continue because it has always been my goal to leave a trace in people’s memories.

Is this record of 200 goals attainable?

I always made sure to be number one so you have to keep trying to get it. There are still matches. But it’s not obsession either. The obsession is still the titles. It is the Champions League, Ligue 1, this tenth title which would be important for the club. And if I stay focused I will still score a lot of goals.

Have you been thinking regarding these 156 goals for some time?

No, not necessarily, because I am not first either. I’m only second… So I knew the most important thing was to be focused, to score goals. I knew I was going to get to that position quickly. Now I’m there and the most important thing is to be focused on the upcoming deadlines. And if I stay focused I will still score goals.

A word regarding the Virage Auteuil and the banner in your honour: “From Bondy to Paris Kylian your story is written here”?

Oh that’s nice! It’s nice to have the affection of the people, the affection of the supporters. I think we also play for this kind of thing. Of course there is always this performance side, this statistics side, this title side, but I think that leaving an imprint in people’s memory is also part of marking history, this visual memory, giving emotions, creating a link… It touches me a lot, it makes me happy and I also thank them for that.

If we have a great Messi it’s better

How did you feel during the ovation of the Park when you left the field?

It’s great to have the recognition of his family, of the supporters. As I said: there is this performance side, of always being focused, of always wanting to win titles, of panicking the stats, but there is also giving emotions. And these are things that remain in your memory.

Are you happy with your game?

Yes, he was a good Kylian Mbappé. I am very happy. I managed to help my team. We continue our way, our final sprint because we are entering the last part of the season. And we are preparing for the big deadlines which are already there and which are also coming.

Receiving such assists from Messi must please you, right?

He’s a great player. And I’m happy for him too because he’s adjusting to a new life, a new city, a new club. And even when you win seven Ballon d’Ors you have to adapt too. Well, that’s how it is. But he’s getting better and better, he’s happy and I’ve always said it, whether in the first part of the season or even during the winter: if you have a great Messi, it’s better.

We feel this bond between you…

It’s easy, it’s easy to play with him. He’s a great player. I have always wanted to play with great players. Great players are made to play with great players. We’re having fun on the field. I take a lot of fun and I also learn.

How does the inspiration come to you on the third goal with this cross from the outside of the right foot for Danilo’s header?

It comes quickly. I am eccentric, there are demarcated players. I aim for the zone… There are two of them and it’s Danilo who takes the ball. It’s a gift for him. It’s good for him because it’s true that he made a mistake in the first half (Editor’s note: behind the Greens’ goal). It allows him to wipe the slate clean and go home quite relieved.

The Champions League final will be played at the Stade de France…

I saw, I saw… It’s good, it’s good! (he leaves).

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