From Kylian Mbappe to Paul Seixas? French president Macron ‘personally involved’ as transfer battle for French prodigy intensifies

The future of Paul Seixas has quickly become one of the most closely watched stories in cycling. Now, it is being reported that the situation has reached far beyond the sport itself.

According to Eurosport Spain, Emmanuel Macron has become personally involved in the efforts to keep the 19-year-old at Decathlon CMA CGM Team, amid growing interest from rival squads.

The French president is said to have backed the team’s attempts to secure a contract extension and even made contact with Seixas’ camp in a bid to convince him to stay.

The scale of that reported intervention reflects just how quickly Seixas has moved from promising talent to a rider being viewed as central to the future of French cycling.

Interest in Seixas is not new, but it has intensified sharply in recent months to the point where it now involves multiple of the sport’s biggest teams. UAE Team Emirates - XRG are among those to have publicly expressed their admiration, but they are far from alone. Rival super teams, including INEOS Grenadiers and Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, have also been linked, turning the situation into a genuine battle for one of the most sought-after riders in the peloton.

That level of attention is being driven by results. Seixas has already won at the Volta ao Algarve, taken victory at Faun Ardeche Classic, finished second behind Tadej Pogacar at Strade Bianche and dominated Itzulia Basque Country with three stage wins and the overall title. His ability to perform across different terrains has only strengthened the sense that he is not just another prospect, but a rider capable of shaping the next era.

Seixas’ contract with Decathlon CMA CGM Team runs until the end of 2027, which means there is no immediate pressure for a decision. His camp has made it clear that time is on their side, with agent Joona Laukka stating that every team is interested and that the rider is in no rush to choose his next move. That has not stopped the situation from escalating.

France has waited decades for a rider capable of winning the Tour de France, and Seixas is increasingly being discussed in that context. Reports from Eurosport Spain suggest Macron’s involvement is driven by a desire to see him remain in a French structure and develop into a national figure within the sport.

The comparison being drawn is not a small one. In 2022, Macron played a visible role in helping to secure Kylian Mbappe’s contract extension at Paris Saint-Germain, stepping into negotiations at a critical moment. That precedent has now resurfaced as Seixas’ own future becomes a subject of wider attention.

For now, the situation remains open. Decathlon CMA CGM Team are working to retain their leading rider, while teams such as UAE Team Emirates XRG continue to position themselves for a possible move in the future.

The timing of Seixas’ contract means the decisive phase has not yet arrived, but the groundwork is clearly being laid. Every performance adds to his value, and every result strengthens the sense that the next major step in his career will carry significance well beyond a single transfer.

That is what makes the current moment stand out. This is not simply a question of where a young rider will race next season. It has become a contest over where one of the sport’s most important emerging figures will build the next chapter of his career, and who gets to shape it.