Why 2024 could be the year of PSG's Kylian Mbappe with Euro, Olympics and Liverpool, Real Madrid interest

French superstar has it all to win in the next 12 months with his future still up in the air

PARIS -- Kylian Mbappe has crammed a lot into his first three days of 2024 with a new footwear range with Nike unveiled which was then baptized with its first goal in the 2-0 Trophee des Champions win over Toulouse on Wednesday -- the France international's first silverware of the year and a new record as Paris Saint-Germain's top scorer at Parc des Princes with 111 goals. Not bad, especially when you consider that Mbappe entered the final six months of his current Parisien contract on the Monday while the incessant speculation linking him with Real Madrid has grown now that Liverpool's name has been thrown into the mix. On Wednesday, Mbappe said he hasn't made a decision but there is an agreement with PSG "so it means all parties are protected."

"With the agreement the president and I reached this summer, whatever I decide, the club is protected ahead of the challenges to come -- that is the most important thing. Back in 2022, I did not know all the way up until May. If I knew what I wanted to do, I should not drag things out. That would make no sense. Nobody at the club is talking about my situation as it interests nobody," Mbappe said. 

Happy New Year indeed then after a winter break which came at an ideal moment for the 25-year-old -- 12 months on from FIFA 2022 World Cup heartache and after the first part of a tricky season with PSG -- with massive success for both club and country possibly just months away. The Trophee des Champions is not exactly high on Mbappe's list of priorities these days but snapping it up does generate a winning habit at the earliest possible opportunity for both the French superstar and the Ligue 1 leaders who have already opened up a five-point lead at the Championnat summit.