-
Julien Laurens, Correspondent
Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé 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 have told ESPN.
Mbappé 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.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
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 Mbappé, 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 or retribution for the striker’s reported decision to leave PSG.
Luis Enrique said he made the call as he felt Mbappé is not fully fit and wants 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 press conferences since the reporting around Mbappé’s decision emerged.
However, according to ESPN sources, Mbappé feels the substitutions are punishment for leaving the club at the end of the season.
Mbappé remains in talks with Real Madrid, who are optimistic of landing the striker, per previous ESPN reporting.