Steven Gerrard believes that Kylian Mbappe is regretting turning down a move to after Los Blancos’ triumph on Saturday.
Madrid claimed a record-extending 14th European trophy after defeating Liverpool 1-0 in Paris courtesy of a second-half goal from Vinicius Jr.
However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side had suffered great disappointment earlier in the week after it was announced that long-time transfer target Mbappe, who had looked destined to move to Madrid for the past year, had signed a new three-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
The news led to outrage from Madrid’s supporters and hierarchy, as well as La Liga and the Spanish media, while many have questioned the French winner’s decision to stay at PSG.
Speaking after Saturday’s final, Liverpool legend and current Aston Villa manager Gerrard expressed his surprise at the transfer U-turn, telling BT Sport: ‘He [Mbappe] is definitely thinking he is a little bit richer for sure!
‘But from a football decision, I do think in his quiet moment tonight if he has watched that game, he will think to himself, “I have just turned down the chance to join a club that has won 14 European Cups”, and they are going to be back because they recruit top players.
‘They [Real Madrid] have got the know-how, they have got the demand to win it, they are going to win more.’
‘They have got the pull haven’t they, they have got the pull worldwide they are a giant in the game. They have got the pull where recruitment-wise, if a club like Real Madrid come along for you, 99 times out of 100 you go.’
One of the best forwards in the world right now, Mbappe has scored 171 goals in 217 games for PSG, winning countless trophies, but the highly coveted Champions League has eluded the French giants.
Last summer, Madrid offered £137million for the 23-year-old, who at the time only had one-year left on his contract, but PSG turned down the offer, although it was still expected that Mbappe would move to the Santiago Bernabeau when his deal expired this summer.
Instead, he is set to stay at the Parc des Princes until 2025 on a deal that reportedly makes him the highest-paid player in the world and gives him a say over transfer decisions and managerial appointments at the club.
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