“I don’t know if he liked my wife more than me” - Ex-Real Madrid star opens up on ‘disheartening’ experience with PSG and Nasser Al-Khelaifi
Former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Real Madrid forward Jese Rodriguez has spoken about his forgettable experience with the French giants. The Spaniard added that he did not enjoy working with club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi at the Parc des Princes.
PSG, in their bid to achieve European glory, have spent heavily on their squad over the years, signing top players from around the world. Rodriguez was liked by then-manager Unai Emery, who lured him from Real Madrid in 2016, with the club paying a reported €25 million.
Jese spent six months at the club before heading out on loan spells to different clubs. He eventually left the club in December 2020 after his contract was terminated. He recently shared his experience in France with Mowlihawk, pointing out that it opened his eyes to Real Madrid being the best club in the world.
Jese Rodriguez said (via GOAL):
“I was treated very poorly there, and it made me understand that Madrid is the best in the world. I debuted at PSG by providing the winning assist in my first game, but then I was sidelined for two months with appendicitis. When winter came, I was told I had to leave. I expressed to [Unai] Emery how deceived I felt."
“The president didn't want to see me at all. I don't know if he liked my wife more than me. They provided no explanation. You could earn a lot, but the treatment was disheartening. I recognised there that Madrid is the best in everything. It felt like dealing with a billionaire who treats players like they are expendable figurines in a game," he added.
Jese Rodriguez played just 18 games in a PSG shirt, scoring two goals, before his contract termination in 2020. During his time with the French club, he played for Las Palmas, Stoke City, Real Betis, and Sporting CP on loan.
Jese played 94 times as a Real Madrid player, scoring 18 goals and providing 15 assists, and winning the UEFA Champions League and LaLiga. Now 31 years old, the forward is on the books of Malaysian outfit Johor Darul Ta'zim.
Former PSG star's struggles continue as Real Madrid fall to shock defeat
Former PSG ace Kylian Mbappe has seen his struggles for form continue after featuring for Real Madrid in their 2-1 defeat to Athletic Club in LaLiga on Wednesday (December 4). The Frenchman missed a penalty in a second successive attempt as his side slumped to defeat in Bilbao.
Mbappe left PSG for Real Madrid in the summer and has come under intense scrutiny despite scoring eight goals in 14 league appearances. The 25-year-old saw his penalty saved by Julen Agirrezabala at the San Mames, with the score at 1-0.
Los Blancos lost the game and in the process, lost their first league game to Athletic Club since 2015, ending a run of 18 games. Mbappe's struggles remain evident, as he also missed a penalty in the UEFA Champions League against Liverpool last week (November 27).