Mbappe holds clear-the-air talks with PSG boss - sources

Posted Sunday, March 03, 2024 by ESPN

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe met with manager Luis Enrique at the club's training centre on Saturday to address tension stemming from the Spanish coach substituting his star player in recent games, sources told ESPN.

Mbappe was taken off after the first half of Friday's 0-0 draw with Monaco having been subbed off after 65 minutes of PSG's draw with Rennes the week prior.

Luis Enrique said after Friday's match that it was his decision to replace the France captain with compatriot Randal Kolo Muani.

Sources told ESPN that Mbappe, 25, was unhappy to be subbed off and asked to speak with Luis Enrique to address the matter, and the coach told him that it was nothing personal and not retribution for the striker's reported decision to leave PSG.

Kylian Mbappe watched the second half of PSG's draw with Monaco from the stands rather than the bench. Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Luis Enrique said he made the call as he felt Mbappe was not fully fit and wanted to preserve him for more meaningful tests, sources said. The former Spain men's national team manager added that he is also thinking about the future of the team, as he has told news conferences since the reporting around Mbappe's decision emerged.

However, according to ESPN sources, Mbappe feels the substitutions are punishment for leaving the club at the end of the season.

Mbappe remains in talks with Real Madrid, who are optimistic about landing the striker, per previous ESPN reporting.