The tension and hatred between Real Madrid and PSG is growing. Why is the biggest knockout battle of recent years looming?

There was no great rivalry between Real Madrid and PSG, on the contrary, the two clubs got along quite well. Until the summer of this year. The Kylian Mbappé case and several other events stirred up great hatred between the two clubs, intensified by their clash in the Champions League eighth-finals.

The knockout stages of the Champions League have some interesting duels in store, but one towers above them all. Real Madrid versus Paris Saint-Germain. It’s not just about sporting success, the game will also reflect the huge rivalry that has grown by almost 100% in the last six months. The clash won’t get underway for another 50 days, but it’s already very lively.

It looks set to be the biggest battle in years, and one that goes beyond sport.

Sports form

Before we get into the reasons for the hatred, let’s start by outlining the sporting form of both teams. Both Real Madrid and PSG are safely leading their respective league competitions and barring anything unexpected, will complement both to the title. In the Champions League, Los Blancos won their group ahead of Inter Milan, while PSG finished second behind Manchester City.

There is a huge difference as far as the game is concerned. PSG has more star names in the squad, but that is not enough to succeed, the game of the Parisians lags a lot, moreover, there are leaks that Pochettino is not the ruler of the cabinet and does not control his pack.

Ancelotti, on the other hand, leads a group of players that currently has almost no crack. Real are not relying on one star, they are playing as a team, they are pulling together, there is a sense of calm in the cabin, the team is well balanced with experience and predatory youth.

Kylian Mbappé, the main reason for the growth of the rivalry

Currently the most valuable commodity on the football market (160 million euros), this is Kylian Mbappé. So it’s no wonder that there is a great deal of controversy over him. The whole problem is that the French striker’s contract at PSG expires in the summer and he is not going to sign a new one. In the summer he made it clear to the management that he wants to leave for Real Madrid, which has been his dream since he was a kid. Moreover, according to the latest reports, he is not happy with the attitude and the atmosphere in the PSG cabin, so he is not interested in staying at the Parc des Princes.

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is very interested in Mbappé, so he sent three offers to Paris. The initial one was 160 million euros, the second one was 180 million euros and the final one was 200 million euros plus bonuses. However, there was no official response to these offers, which was seen as an indecency in Madrid.

PSG, on the other hand, considered Real Madrid’s actions dishonest, as they should have approached Mbappé directly with a contract offer. The club’s president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, for his part, suspected Los Blancos of making false offers, as Real’s goal, according to him, was to get Mbappé for free from the start.

Anyway, the situation between the two clubs became so heated that the representatives of both clubs started rubbing shoulders with each other and in the media. To this can be nicely added the statement of Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez.

“It’s crazy. It’s bad for football when clubs are owned by the state, don’t look at the money and can do whatever they want. In the summer we offered €200 million for a player a year before the end of his contract and they didn’t even respond. It is better to get players for free at the end of their contract,” Pérez told Spanish media.

The PSG management believed that they would be able to convince Mbappé to sign a new contract, but it is not happening and the 23-year-old wonder is getting closer to the Spanish capital every day. As early as January 1, he can sign a new contract at the Santiago Bernabéu, which will come into effect on July 1. However, this is 99% not going to happen, as according to behind-the-scenes information Mbappé does not want to sign with the opponent he will face in a month’s time. The whole event should be resolved after the duel.

And Mbappé is a big reason behind PSG’s desire to join Real Madrid. Not to be, when someone takes the greatest talent since Ronaldo and Messi for free, and quite possibly the best footballer of the next few years, you probably won’t thank Real.

The War on Financial Fair Play, UEFA

Previously, Real Madrid and PSG were one and the same in behind-the-scenes matters. Only that’s no longer the case either. While Real Madrid spearheaded the Super League to get rid of the greedy UEFA organisation, PSG are siding with Čeferin, the UEFA president. Since the club is owned by a wealthy Qatari owner, PSG has no shortage of money and can do whatever it wants.

Many clubs, led by Barcelona and Real Madrid, have spoken out that all is not quite right at PSG and financial fair play is somehow being overlooked under the Eiffel Tower. This has sparked another feud between Spain’s most successful club and France’s most successful club.

The return of captain Ramos and rival Messi

If the fight behind the curtain isn’t enough for you as a reason why one of the biggest battles of recent years is about to take place, let’s move on to the pitch. That’s because Sergio Ramos, who was a stalwart for 16 years and later captain of Real Madrid, returns to the Santiago Bernabéu. He is one of the club’s greatest legends and icons, but now he will face the team of his heart.

Ramos’ statement from a few years ago adds to the intensity of the whole event. “I will never leave Real Madrid. And if I do, it will be to a team that cannot compete against Real Madrid,” Ramos told reporters. However, he did not keep his promise and left for PSG, who will face Los Blancos at the first possible opportunity. And the second statement is rather inconsistent with the first.

“I’m at PSG now and I will do everything possible to get promoted. I will die on the pitch against Real Madrid for PSG,” Ramos announced after the Champions League draw.

Another interesting factor is the return of Lionel Messi. The Argentine footballer has spent his entire career at Barcelona and has been Real Madrid’s arch enemy. Now he will return to Madrid, but in a different jersey. PSG will also bring in other former Los Blancos players, Keylor Navas, Ángel di María and Achraf Hakimi. It’s going to be a very tight battle.

Source: Marca, Livesport