A very rare occurrence at PSG, Kylian Mbappé did not finish a match for the second time in a row. As against Rennes, coach Luis Enrique made the strong choice to take his attacker out, and this time, from the break. However, it is not this decision that is causing the most talk among Parisian supporters. The world champion distinguished himself by deciding to join the stands, instead of taking his place on the sidelines with his teammates. And that doesn’t really work…
“It’s a bit disrespectful towards the club,” said Abdoul, a twenty-something supporter who met this Saturday in front of the PSG store on the Champs-Elysées. The club is an institution that everyone should respect. I don’t agree with what he did.” A point of view shared by Yanis: “It’s a lack of respect,” says the young man, before entering the store. If he was respectful, he would have stayed on the bench with his teammates. This behavior is inappropriate, and it shows that he is abandoning the club.”
After yesterday’s episode, some words are harsh. In the Parisian rain, Nathan believes that Mbappé wants to show that “without him Paris does not exist. He makes his cinema.” A cinema attended live by supporters and ultras present at Louis-II. “We saw him pass in front of us, we continued our chant, we thought he had received a blow or something,” says an active member of the CUP, who wishes to remain anonymous. But when we got on the bus and saw all this on the networks, the first words people said were insults towards Mbappé. But I think any Parisian supporter will react the same way to the situation. »
“Not a good example for young people”
Guillaume (his first name has been changed) was also in Monaco, alongside the Ultras as a simple and loyal supporter. For him, “the fact that he is not returning to the sidelines does not set a good example for young people. They will say to themselves that a player who comes out has the right to go into the stands. That’s not how it happens, at any level. We wonder if this is really what a legend is, a captain, a leader. It doesn’t reflect our values. »
“He thinks of the collective, not of Kylian”
Unlike Mbappé whose behavior is, for the most part, not really appreciated, the decisions of coach Luis Enrique are rather approved by the fans. “His exit is legitimate,” says Guillaume, who understood Luis Enrique’s choice very well from the stands. We have a coach who makes strong choices, he thinks about the collective, not Kylian. »
But this decision is not unanimous among everyone. Young fans of the club and of Mbappé, passing through Paris and on the Champs, Hugo and Noah confided to being “disappointed” by this unexpected change. Just like Abdoul: “I find that a little unfair of him. Mbappé did everything for the club. It’s his last season, you have to enjoy him. We must put Mbappé in the right conditions for the Champions League. Luis Enrique must put his ego aside. »
Some supporters also fear that this new saga will disrupt the locker room, especially as the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Real Sociedad is fast approaching. “I think it will destabilize the group,” says Bilel, not quite in his twenties, who was passing the club shop with his friends. Nathan is a little more indecisive. “It can cause problems in the locker room. Mbappé poops a little nervously, it doesn’t really look like he has team spirit. But it should still do it. »
“Mbappé is as much appreciated as he is starting to be hated”
Despite the announced departure of Mbappé, the CUP continues in the stands to show its support for the Frenchman, but his attitude is increasingly calling out. “It’s difficult to say how he will be received at the Park, and mainly by Virage Auteuil, on Saturday (March 10) against Reims,” confides our member of the association. Let’s see the progress this week.”
According to information from RMC Sport, confirmed by the Parisian, Mbappé had a face-to-face meeting with Luis Enrique, and the situation calmed down. If everything seems to be back to normal between the two men, the French international’s attitude is now being closely scrutinized. “Let him not be disrespectful if he doesn’t want us to turn against him,” the ultra continues. Which would be stupid, because there has never been a misunderstanding between the CUP and Mbappé since his arrival. »
“We know what he did at home, but that doesn’t give him any more rights, so he has to be wary, because he’s not unanimous. He is as much appreciated as he is beginning to be hated,” concludes Guillaume.
