It is perhaps in its DNA, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has this amazing ability to generate crisis. Some even see a bit of its charm in it. Even when he has not yet experienced defeat, he always evolves between psychodrama, telenovela early afternoon or rehearsal comedy. Difficult to decide.
We are not talking about the draw conceded, dull and without history, at the Parc des Princes against Benfica this Tuesday, October 11 (1-1) – with eight points in four games, the Parisians are well launched in this group H to validate an eleventh rank qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League – but rather of its approach.
This time it was not sand yacht question, carbon footprint and the still embryonic “shame of flying” among footballers – as before the reception, in September, of Juventus Turin (2-1) -, but Kylian Mbappé’s big desires to leave. Yes already. Between Paris and the striker, it was serious though.
Consummate break with the president of PSG
At least, that was the story sold and calibrated at the end of May when of a contract extension celebrated as a victory against a European great. Randomly, Real Madrid. But according to information from RMC, confirmed by The world, the 23-year-old, feels betrayed by club owner Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) and chairman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi. The break is consummated with the Qatari leader.
To tell the truth, the discomfort had been brewing for a while and according to our information goes beyond the simple autumnal spleen of a player unhappy with his position on the field. Against Benfica, Kylian Mbappé further evolved without this famous center forward by his side (and without injured Lionel Messi), who said he preferred his freer role in the France team, than that in a club too close to that of “a pivot”.
In fact, the prodigy of Bondy has still negotiated the majority of his balls on the left side. He hit one in the middle to convert a penalty (40e) a perfect opposite to receive the ovation of a public of the Park less rebellious and whistling than announced for its attacker. At least not for now.
Funny evening which sees a boy announced on the departure to become the most prolific player in the history of his club in the European Cup with thirty-one goals now. In the very particular context of the day, others would have passed their turn to let, Neymar for example, take charge of the penalty. Not Kylian Mbappe. Unfazed on the surface, the Parisian put aside his bad head from recent games and adopted a more positive body language. More Champions League. “Kylian had a very rhythmic, very intense match. He gave an answer to this rumour.greeted his trainer Christophe Galtier.
In the second half, Mbappé was even a few centimeters away from scoring his signature goal, with this shot curled from the right foot to the far post (52e). Shame. It would have been a little less about his starting desires and a little more about the qualification of PSG. An avoidable foul by the incorrigible Marco Verratti and a penalty later converted by Joao Mario (65e), Paris conceded the equalizer to Lisbon. Christophe Galtier admits it himself, “we are less flashy, less brilliant lately”.
“Who is this rumor for? »
In Paris, the summer passed as quickly as its promises, when Nasser Al-Khelaïfi evoked a moral revolution with “the end of the sequins”that the 3-4-3 of the new coach only made people happy and that Neymar was once again becoming a top athlete.
But Mbappé was already sulking. In his corner. A story of priority on penalties with the Brazilian, a recruitment not quite in line with a new sports project in which he wanted to believe. But Bernardo Silva, Milan Skriniar and especially Robert Lewandowksi did not come. The Pole should have been this famous “pivot”, this great number nine around which Mbappé would have gravitated freely and happily. But the former Bayern Munich signed on July 15 at FC Barcelona.
The Frenchman had time to get used to the bad news. “Pivot or not pivot” is perhaps not really the question. At least not the main one. For reasons that may soon be revealed, Kylian Mbappé feels betrayed by the promises of spring and intends to leave the club in January according to several media. In his entourage, it is hard to imagine PSG opening the door to a departure this winter, especially in the wake of the World Cup in Qatar (November 20-December 18) and we are planning for next summer. He will then have one contract left, plus one as an option.
The legendary “November crisis” in the Canal+ or Colony Capital years was therefore brought forward to October and it is necessary to light up the fires and other denials. Luis Campos was the first sent to the front. Anything but a coincidence. club football advisor, the Portuguese must embody the authority of this new PSG and is close to the Mbappé clan, which he brooded over at AS Monaco when he started out. “I am here to deny and say clearly that Kylian Mbappé never spoke to me, neither to me nor to the president, about leaving in January”, declared at the microphone of Canal + the one that The Parisian announced… also leaving a few minutes earlier.
🗨️ “Kylian never told me about leaving in January” Luis Campos denies departure rumors concerning Mbappé ai… https://t.co/sTDLhsNUN9
By dint of answering questions on the (only) subject of the day, Christophe Galtier asked himself one: ” I am surprised. It’s a rumour. Whether it comes out four or five hours before the match, I have the right to be arrested. Who is this rumor for? » On the side of the club, we are talking about a big nonsense party – is it a coincidence, we suggest –, from Madrid with first revelations from daily life brand at the start of the afternoon, known for his proximity to Real, still annoyed by Mbappé’s refusal, but also for not always giving good transfer weather.
Mbappé expected Wednesday in Madrid
A source close to management is surprised to see Liverpool cited as a possible destination by brandwhen the Reds have to tighten their belts financially and are not guaranteed to see the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Still, for PSG, the effect is disastrous in the short term and the season risks being very long if the player supposed to embody and carry the project counts the days by scribbling crosses on the locker room wall until his departure. supposed, next June or July.
The person concerned, he risks damaging a little of his image, so important to him. In recent weeks, he has done nothing to hide his weariness at the risk of looking like a spoiled child, he, the highest paid footballer on the planet according to the magazine Forbes for the 2022-2023 season. In the past, Kylian Mbappé has always resolved this kind of situation by speaking frankly but controlled. In the rush of cameras and microphones, the mixed zone of the Parc des Princes was not to be the ideal place to express all his grievances against his president.
Between now and his departure for the World Cup with the Blues, he and his entourage had even planned a certain media diet. In the meantime, the Parisian players are taking a break on Thursday. Sergio Ramos even took the opportunity to invite several of his partners on Wednesday evening to attend a bullfight in Madrid. Among the guests… Kylian Mbappé indicates the Spanish radio COPE. After all, it’s never too early to immerse yourself in a country’s culture.