PARIS (AFP) - Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe won the French league’s best-player award for the third time in his career, then diplomatically swerved a question about his future.
Mbappe is out of contract at PSG next month and touted to join Karim Benzema at Real Madrid in what would be a formidable strike force. Mbappe said he didn’t want to announce his decision during the ceremony but added, “Yes, pretty much”, when asked if he’s made his mind up over whether to stay or go.
Mbappe is the league’s top scorer with 25 goals for the French champion this term and has netted 36 in all competitions.
The awards are given annually by the National Union of Professional Football Players (UNFP) to players in France’s top two divisions.
The 23-year-old France star won the award last year when Mbappe netted a career-high 42 goals overall and in 2019.
“It’s always an honor to be here. Winning for a third time in a row is incredible,” Mbappe said. “I’ve felt the recognition this season more than ever.”
The trophy was not awarded in 2020 after the coronavirus pandemic ended the season 10 games early.
Although PSG comfortably won the league title which it surprisingly lost to Lille in 2021 Mbappe’s goals and assists masked glaring shortcomings which were ruthlessly exposed by Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League.
PSG led 2-0 on aggregate thanks to Mbappe’s goals, but then allowed three goals in under 20 minutes as Benzema tore the defense apart with a brilliant hat-trick.