Luis Enrique’s press conferences are always a little one-man show. And that was the case again this Tuesday, on the eve of the last match of the year, against Metz. Little facial expressions here, a little reference to a journalist’s outfit there, a good word in the middle… The contract was fulfilled, especially when discussing the relationship that the PSG coach has with Kylian Mbappé.
“I have a perfect relationship with Kylian, I don’t know why you keep asking me that question. We’re not a couple, but almost, especially because he’s the one who doesn’t want to. I am very close to most of my players. And Kylian, from the start, has always been a very close player, who always smiles. »
“His level is fantastic”
While the “Kid from Bondy” will celebrate his 25th birthday against Metz, and he will be able to sign wherever he wants from January 1, Luis Enrique gave a quick assessment of the Mbappé years: “He is super young, he has my son’s age, I hope that he will have a lot of success, full of individual and collective successes, and I hope that it will be here, at PSG. I hope we can help him and support him on his journey. His level is fantastic, we are lucky to have a player like him for what he brings. His numbers are impressive, he is at the top of world football. »
The former coach of Barça and Celta Vigo also returned during this press conference to the draw for the round of 16 of the Champions League, which will pit PSG against Real Sociedad. And the technician was rather satisfied, but not for the reasons one might suppose: “I’m very happy, because I wanted to come back to Spain. It’s a team which finished first in its group, which we know very well, with very good players, a very good coach. It’s also one of the prettiest cities in Spain, but there will be difficulties, they play good football, they have clear ideas, it will be a difficult match. »