Kylian Mbappé’s (25) return to formative club AS Monaco didn’t exactly go to plan. After a first half in which he struggled to get the better of Wilfried Singo, the Frenchman was surprisingly withdrawn by Luis Enrique at half-time.
Having been replaced by Randal Kolo Muani at the break, Mbappé returned late from the dressing rooms, before making his way up into the VIP boxes to sit with his mother, Fayza Lamari, rather than staying with his Paris Saint-Germain teammates on the bench.
In a fiery post-match press conference, Luis Enrique revealed it was a tactical choice to replace the France captain. “It was 100% my decision. We have to get used to playing without him,” said the Spaniard, who grew increasingly frustrated at having to explain his decision.
“It was 100% my decision. We have to get used to playing without him” – an irate Luis Enrique explains his decision to substitute Kylian Mbappé (25) – full story. ⬇️https://t.co/QUgmhA61aF
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However, as per a report from RMC Sport and L’Équipe, the pair have held “constructive” talks the day after PSG’s 0-0 draw against Monaco. Both Luis Enrique wanted to calm the situation after the controversial substitution on Friday night, which garnered criticism and significant media attention.
Luis Enrique wants to prepare for next season with his decisions, and given that Mbappé has already informed PSG’s hierarchy that he will be departing at the end of the current campaign, he doesn’t form part of the Spaniard’s long-term thinking.
It is therefore perfectly conceivable that Mbappé will not play in every Ligue 1 encounter between now and the end of the season, although this will not be the case in the UEFA Champions League.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
