Ancelotti respects Mbappe’s decision on staying in PSG

Carlo Ancelotti stated on Tuesday that he “respects” Kylian Mbappe’s decision to stay at PSG, but that Real Madrid’s players are completely focused on the Champions League final.

When Mbappe’s contract expired this summer, Real Madrid was anxious to sign him, but the striker turned down the offer and instead signed a new three-year agreement with PSG.

On Tuesday, Ancelotti was questioned if the Mbappe craze could affect his players as they prepare to beat Liverpool on Saturday and win the club’s 14th European Cup.

“It’s quite clear for us what we have to think about,” Ancelotti said in a press conference.

“We have never talked about players from other clubs. We have total respect for everyone, we respect the decisions they take and we respect other clubs.

“We have to do our jobs and it’s quite clear what we have to think about, which is the final.”

Ancelotti was hesitant to talk about Mbappe.

When asked if he was personally disappointed by the Frenchman’s decision, he said: “I understand you have to do your jobs but I never talk about players who don’t belong to Madrid and I’m not going to.”

Last month, Real Madrid won La Liga with four games to spare, while Manchester City pipped Liverpool to the Premier League crown on Sunday.

Liverpool have already won the FA Cup and League Cup this season, but they have been plagued by injuries this month, with Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho both doubtful for the final.

Salah, who has been out with a groyne injury, and Virgil van Dijk, who has been out with a knee injury, both started on the bench against Wolves on Sunday, with Salah coming on late in the second half.

Ancelotti claimed that all of his players are in “excellent shape,” and that both Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard trained at Valdebebas on Tuesday.

Hazard and Bale have spent the entire season on the outside of the first team, but Ancelotti stated that they could play against Liverpool.

“Hazard is training well, he can play in the final, Bale can play too, everyone is motivated,” said Ancelotti.

“The feeling in this moment is to enjoy, prepare well, for now we are calm and happy. As we get closer to the match there will be all the other things, some nerves, all very normal.

“Today there is just a lot of motivation to play in another final.”