Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema shared a wholesome moment in the tunnel ahead of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid on Tuesday.
PSG welcomed Los Blancos to the Parc des Princes for the first leg of their round-of-16 tie, with Mbappe and Benzema’s pre-match exchange not going unnoticed by fans.
Mbappe, 23, is out of contract at the end of the season and has been heavily linked with Madrid amid growing uncertainty surrounding his PSG future.
The PSG superstar was delighted when France teammate Benzema approached him in the tunnel, with the pair appearing to exchange words before the Madrid striker walked away.
And Mbappe had his hands covering his face while laughing, with fans speculating that ‘Agent Benzema’ is trying to butter up his potential Madrid teammate next season.
“Future teammates at Real Madrid,” one fan said.
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Someone else added: “Meeting in the summer.”
A third commented: “Come to Real.”
While a fourth Twitter user wrote: “This is so cute, I love it! Can’t wait for him to join us.”
And a fifth tweeted: “Mbappe was standing in the tunnel with a straight face, all business, no smiles. The minute he sees Benzema, brudda [sic] couldn’t stop smiling.”
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RMC Sport later confirmed that Mbappe had asked if Benzema was ‘injured,’ with the France striker acknowledging that he was still carrying a ‘little’ knock.
Mbappe is believed to be Madrid’s No 1 target for the summer transfer window, with PSG pushing for the France international to renew his contract.
The PSG forward is free to speak with clubs outside of France and sign a pre-contract agreement ahead of his current deal expiring in June.
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Madrid made a staggering £171.7m deadline-day bid for Mbappe last summer, but PSG declined to take up the La Liga club’s mammoth offer.
PSG and Madrid are 0-0 going into half-time at the Parc des Princes.
Topics: Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid, La Liga, Spain, Paris Saint-Germain, Ligue 1, France, Champions League, Karim Benzema, Football
Adnan Riaz