Paris St Germain forward Kylian Mbappe is embarking on a tour of his father’s native country, Cameroon, for the first time. Amidst uncertainties surrounding his future at the French club, Mbappe arrived in the capital city of Yaounde to a warm reception from enthusiastic fans. Expressing his gratitude and honor to be in the country of his origin, surrounded by family and the supportive Cameroonian people, Mbappe conveyed his appreciation for the love shown towards him.
During his three-day tour, Mbappe participated in sports activities, including a basketball match against former NBA player Joakim Noah and a soccer game against Vent d’Etoudi FC, a second-division team in Cameroon. His itinerary also includes visits to Douala, the economic capital, and his father’s home village. As part of his philanthropic efforts, Mbappe is visiting schools funded by his charity, with a particular focus on supporting children with impaired hearing.
With a commitment to promoting a bright future in Cameroon, Mbappe expressed his dedication to ongoing youth projects. Born and raised in the northeastern suburbs of Paris to an Algerian mother who was a handball player, Mbappe’s ties to Cameroon through his father hold special significance for him.
Meanwhile, questions about Mbappe’s future at PSG have arisen since he informed the club last month that he would not be exercising the option for a one-year contract extension when it expires next year. Having been signed by PSG from AS Monaco in 2017 for a reported fee of 180 million euros ($196 million), Mbappe is currently the world’s second-most expensive signing, after Neymar.
If Mbappe completes the remaining duration of his contract, PSG faces the risk of losing him for free at the end of the 2023-24 season. However, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi recently ruled out that possibility. During his time in Yaounde, Mbappe avoided discussing the topic, emphasizing his focus on being in Cameroon and maximizing his enjoyment of the holiday with the Cameroonian people.