Six Paris Saint-Germain players have complained to club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi about comments made by Kylian Mbappe in an interview.
Mbappe gave an interview to French publication France Football via L’Equipe online, in which he called PSG a “divisive club” that tends to “lure gossip”.
When asked if his performances were now ‘playing down’, the France captain replied that playing for PSG ‘doesn’t help’.
Mbappe also pointed out that PSG may have reached a ‘glass ceiling’ over their lack of success in the Champions League, suggesting it is a question that needs to be answered by those ‘who support the team build up”. He added that the players – including himself – “gave it all” and “did what we could”. PSG were eliminated by Bayern Munich in the round of 16 and suffered a 3-0 defeat overall.
Mbappe’s comments also seem to have angered PSG fans, who have been vocal about their displeasure on social media. Of the players who have complained to Al-Khelaifi, two are said to be new signings from the club.
The interview was published on Saturday but was conducted last month, ahead of the latest developments surrounding his future at PSG.
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Mbappe told the Ligue 1 champions in a letter last month that he would not take up the extension option in his contract that would extend his stay in Paris until June 2025.
Al-Khelaifi said earlier this week that Mbappe would not be allowed to leave on a free transfer next summer – when his contract expires – and that the 24-year-old had two weeks to decide whether to stay at the club. PSG sent Mbappe a three-page letter dated July 3, accusing him of “causing enormous damage to the club” and telling him he had until July 31 to decide on his future.
Mbappe already said last month that he would stay at PSG for next season before making a decision on his future in the summer of 2024.
After months of speculation about a move to Real Madrid, he signed a new contract with PSG in 2022. The deal was presented by PSG as a three-year deal, with Mbappé holding up a club shirt with ‘2025’ written on the back, but it was actually a two-year deal with an option for an additional season.
PSG are preparing for the 2023-24 season under new head coach Luis Enrique after parting ways with Christophe Galtier after a year in charge.
The French side have so far signed Milan Skriniar, Marco Asensio and Manuel Ugarte, with all of these newcomers being announced this week. They are also close to confirming the signings of Lucas Hernandez and Kang-in Lee.
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(Photo: FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images)