18 January 2024 , 06:30
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Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has revealed that LeBron James continues to be an inspiration for him and he regularly asks the NBA player for career advice.
Mbappe and James have grown close since 2018, when the sporting stars met for the first time at a Nike event in New York. That year, Mbappe's move to PSG became permanent after an initial loan spell from AS Monaco, and James joined the Los Angeles Lakers after a second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Frenchman is a keen NBA fan and James also has an interest in football as an investor in Fenway Sports Group, the American sports company that owns Liverpool FC. Mbappe's admission has sparked fresh speculation that Liverpool could be a future destination for the 25-year-old, although PSG are attempting to re-sign him to a contract worth £86.15 million per season.
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Mbappe is the face of French football, and is also one of the biggest sporting stars around the globe. The forward captains his national team and leads the line for PSG, a team that has kept hold of him despite letting both Neymar and Lionel Messi depart since the end of last season.
Since being signed by Nike both Mbappe and James have grown close, and the Frenchman's links with Liverpool remain due to the club signing with the sportswear brand. Mbappe has finally opened up about his relationship with the most iconic player in the NBA, stating that he has a major influence over his career decisions.
"He has a much more advanced career than I do, and projects outside sport that have cemented his place as a legend," Mbappe told GQ Magazine. "Being able to ask such inspiring personalities for advice is a chance to adjust my projects and create my own thing that is as effective as possible for today's young people.
Mbappe is out of contract at the end of the season (Getty Images) "These projects grow with me and make me particularly proud. It's important for me to convey values like dialogue and sharing by surrounding myself with partners who support but above all understand and validate my societal commitment."
Mbappe and James are at different stages in their career, with the PSG star entering his prime while the Lakers legend will be considering retirement in the near future. James has won the NBA Championship and earned MVP status on four occasions, and Mbappe can also call himself a 'World Champion' after lifting the World Cup with France in 2018, and settling for a runners-up medal in 2022 despite scoring a hat-trick in the final against Argentina.
For James, Mbappe remains a close friend and although a move to Liverpool would massively increase his share price in the club, it's extremely unlikely that the Premier League side will be able to match PSG's offer. Mbappe is out of contract at the end of the season, but PSG will do all they can to re-sign the forward and fend off inevitable interest from Real Madrid, who have chased the Frenchman for multiple transfer windows.