KYLIAN MBAPPÉ FEELS ‘DISRESPECTED’ BY LUÍS ENRIQUE

Kylian Mbappé (25) was visibly unhappy as he trudged off against Olympique de Marseille in the 64th minute of Sunday’s Le Classique. The Frenchman, who captained Paris Saint-Germain on the night, was aware that his game time would be more limited following his departure announcement, but he did not expect to be withdrawn in such high-profile games, and Luís Enrique’s decision to do so during the 2-0 victory over Les Phocéens has not been well-received in Mbappé’s camp, according to L’Équipe.

“Sooner or later, we have to get used to playing without Mbappé” – this is a line frequently repeated by Luís Enrique in recent weeks, ever since Mbappé informed PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi that he would be departing the club upon the expiry of his contract in the summer.

Since that announcement, Mbappé’s game time in Ligue 1 has reduced significantly. Having completed a full 90 minutes in 17 of his last 19 Ligue 1 games prior to that announcement, he has played a whole match on just one occasion in France’s top flight in his last six. The difference is stark.

But it had been expected, and Luís Enrique had told Mbappé as such. However, the Spaniard’s decision to hook the PSG captain against Marseille has not been well-received in Mbappé’s camp. Whilst his entourage did not wish to comment on the issue, some of his close ones have interpreted the substitution as a “lack of respect,” according to L’Équipe. They believe that it breaks a verbal agreement that would see Mbappé continue to play a prominent role in the big fixtures, such as Le Classique, which he holds very dear. Are Mbappé and Luís Enrique heading down a slippery slope that will lead to conflict?