PSG omits French superstar Kylian Mbappe from club's pre-season Japan tour

Mbappe, who was heavily linked to Real Madrid in previous seasons, refuses to renew his contract with PSG

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) – Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have ruled out French superstar Kylian Mbappe from their pre-season Japan tour, the French champions confirmed on Friday.

PSG said on their website that Luis Enrique selected 29 players for the 2023 Japan Tour in Osaka and Tokyo, but left Mbappe, 24, in France. The team is expected to depart on Saturday without Mbappe.

Following the Japan tour, PSG will next travel to South Korea in August.

Mbappe, PSG's all-time top scorer with 212 goals, was heavily linked to Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid in previous seasons. He still refuses to renew his contract with PSG and to be a free agent next summer.

The French forward's contract with PSG will expire in 2024.

In July, the PSG chair said they will not allow Mbappe to leave for free.

"We cannot let the best player in the world right now leave for free. That is impossible," Qatari businessman and PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi said at a news conference where he introduced new head coach Luis Enrique.

Mbappe has been an integral part of PSG and the French national team, where he helped Les Bleus win the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

He is a six-time French champion and one with Monaco in 2017. Mbappe won the remaining titles with PSG.

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