Football fans across Spain were left in disbelief after reading a shocking report in sports daily Mundo Deportivo. The publication claimed that Real Madrid had abruptly withdrawn from the race to sign their long-term transfer target, Kylian Mbappé. Instead, the Paris Saint-Germain star is now rumored to be heading to their bitter LaLiga rivals, Barcelona. This unexpected twist, titled “Radical turn: Mbappé gets closer to Barça,” not only surprised Madrid supporters but also gave Barcelona fans a reason to rejoice. The news that their club had chosen Mbappé as a world-class signing to celebrate their upcoming 125th anniversary seemed too good to be true.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona is allegedly prepared to utilize the €1 billion the club is set to receive as a founding member of the European Super League to lure Mbappé to Camp Nou. This ambitious strategy, called “Operation Donatello,” is said to reference the nickname given to the French striker by his PSG teammates due to his resemblance to the Ninja Turtles character. The report suggests that Barcelona president Joan Laporta and Real Madrid counterpart Florentino Perez recently had a secret meeting and reached a surprising agreement. Under this pact, Barcelona would offer unconditional support to Perez regarding the breakaway Super League project, while Madrid would not only relinquish their interest in Mbappé but also recommend the 25-year-old’s entourage to sign for Barcelona.
An Unconventional Requirement
One stipulation imposed by Perez in this clandestine meeting was that Mbappé would be prohibited from using his dominant right foot when playing against Madrid in El Clasico. This peculiar condition, though mentioned in the report, raises doubts about the credibility of the claims. However, Mundo Deportivo maintains that former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique, now in charge at PSG, has also endorsed Mbappé’s potential move to Barcelona due to the pleasant relationship between local media and the club.
The report asserts that Mbappé would experience a smooth transition to Barcelona since his PSG teammate, Ousmane Dembélé, is willing to lend him his home in the city. Furthermore, Dembélé would allow Mbappé to enjoy his collection of video games during his stay. Another added benefit of joining Barcelona is that the player would receive a lifetime subscription to Spotify, which is Mbappé’s music streaming platform of choice and happens to sponsor the Catalan club.
A Day for Pranks and Foolery
However, for anyone in Spain reading these astounding details and feeling even slightly skeptical, a glance at the calendar should alleviate their concerns. The article was published on December 28th, which is “El Día de Los Santos Inocentes” (The Day of the Holy Innocents). This day is Spain’s equivalent of April Fool’s Day, and it is celebrated by engaging in pranks, jokes, and japes. Mundo Deportivo, seizing the opportunity to partake in the festivities, crafted this fictional story surely to excite and intrigue their readership. This isn’t the first time the publication has pulled off such a stunt. Two years ago, they reported, with equal incredibility, that Cristiano Ronaldo had secretly offered his services to Barcelona, desperate to leave his second spell at Manchester United. Although seemingly far-fetched, it serves as a reminder that the football world is full of surprises, and the unpredictable can become reality.
While the Mundo Deportivo article captured the attention and imagination of football fans across Spain, it is crucial to approach such reports with a healthy dose of skepticism. As the excitement surrounding the potential transfer of Kylian Mbappé continues to stir, it is essential to await official announcements from the clubs involved and trusted sources within the football industry. Until then, fans can indulge in the speculation and anticipation that fuels the world of football, knowing that truth and fiction are often intertwined on this thrilling journey.