untitled-design-2024-01-09t192335-781.png
Getty Images

Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has confirmed the French champions' desire to hold on to Kylian Mbappe with the France international now into the final six months of his contract with the Ligue 1 giants.

The 25-year-old's current deal at Parc des Princes ends this summer and long-term suitors Real Madrid as well as Premier League leaders Liverpool have been linked with his signature of late as speculation heats up regarding his future beyond the current season.

"Listen, I will not hide anything," said Al-Khelaifi of Mbappe to RMC Sport's Jerome Rothen. "I definitely want to Kylian to stay. That is absolutely certain. For me, Kylian is the best player in the world. For me, the best for Kylian is Paris. Today, Kylian is at the center of the project."

Mbappe has scored four goals from two games so far in 2024 and helped PSG to win the Trophee des Champions against Toulouse last week before the France captain scored a hat trick in a 9-0 beating of minnows US Revel in the Coupe de France over the weekend.

The former AS Monaco man's future has been the subject of fierce debate since he opted out of the final year of his current contract in Paris which makes him a potential free agent ahead of this summer during which he intends to compete at both UEFA Euro 2024 and the Olympic Games.

"Kylian is a great man and a great player, but he is also a great person," added the Qatari supremo. "Like he said after the Trophee des Champions, we have an agreement. I do not want to talk about money and to say how much the deal is worth. We have a 'gentleman's agreement' -- our deal is not a question of money. It is between the player and the President, the sporting director and the head coach. It is more than a signed agreement."

"Really, I ask that everyone leaves Kylian alone. Leave us alone -- we are doing just fine."

Real and Liverpool have long admired Mbappe while Saudi Arabia also tried to launch a charm offensive for him last summer only to be rebuffed when the Frenchman returned to club duty with PSG after a standoff with his employers during preseason.

Less impressive for Al-Khelaifi was Lionel Messi who has spoken out about his time with PSG since joining Inter Miami which the Qatari did not appreciate from the legendary Argentina international who won the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Don't miss CBS Sports Golazo Network's Morning Footy, now in podcast form! Our crew brings you all the news, views, highlights and laughs you need to follow the Beautiful Game in every corner of the globe, every Monday-Friday all year long.

"I have great respect for him, but it is not good if someone wants to speak badly about PSG once they have left," said the PSG boss of Messi's criticism. "That is not what respect is. He is not a bad boy, but I do not like that. I will say, and it is not just for him but everyone else too, that we talk when we are somewhere and not once we leave -- it is not our style."

"We do not need stars," furthered Al-Khelaifi. "PSG is the star today. We need players who respect the jersey and respect the club as well as giving everything for the badge or jersey."