Kylian Mbappe has expressed his understanding of the supporters’ anger as he arrived to meet fans and players of his struggling Ligue 2 club, SM Caen.
Mbappe visited Caen on Thursday, just a day after his stunning hat-trick helped Real Madrid eliminate Manchester City from the Champions League. He may have anticipated a warmer welcome, given that the French side is facing the prospect of their first relegation to the third tier in 41 years.
Once a top club and a Ligue 1 mainstay, Caen currently sits at the bottom of the table, 11 points adrift of safety. Recently, fans displayed a banner reading “SMC is not your toy” after he dismissed club icon Nicolas Seube as manager. Last month, supporters even invaded the pitch to confront players and staff following another defeat.
Mbappe’s arrival came after the decision to sack his second manager, Bruno Baltazar, on Tuesday, with Michel Der Zakarian confirmed as his replacement. The 26-year-old stated he had come to show his support for the team and expressed confidence that they could turn their fortunes around.
“It’s important for me to be here. I want to show my support, to connect with everyone and let them know they can count on me, especially in our current situation,” Mbappe stated. “If I’m here, it’s because I believe in the project. I wanted to come earlier, but it was impossible. I told them I was with them and that they need to believe. I saw a group that is not resigned and wants to change the results.”
He added, “With the quality of the team and the support from the fans, things can change, and I hope this is a turning point. In football, nothing is impossible. There’s a lack of confidence, but a good result can turn the team’s momentum. I understand the frustration; I’ve told them personally, as I’ve not experienced this before. It’s normal to feel angry, but the people support us, fill the stadium, and our mission is to give our best.”
Footage shared by Caen showed Mbappe greeting supporters and signing autographs.
Mbappe purchased a majority stake in Caen over the summer for £12.6 million through Interconected Ventures, his investment arm, Coalition Capital. The club, located near France’s northern coast, boasts the highest attendance figures in Ligue 2, averaging 15,000 supporters at the Stade Michel-d’Ornano.
Notable players such as N’Golo Kante, William Gallas, and Thomas Lemar have represented Caen in the past. David Lasry, a scout for the club, revealed in a BBC documentary that Caen had come close to signing Mbappe when he was just 13. Although his father confirmed an agreement for him to join, the deal fell through when Caen was relegated to the second tier in 2012. Mbappe ultimately joined Monaco’s academy, later breaking into the first team before moving to PSG.