Kylian Mbappe faces boos on Paris return over little-known PSG dispute which turned relationship sour
Kylian Mbappe makes his return to the Parc des Princes on Friday but his reception might not be something he’s been accustomed to.
The forward will captain France in the Nations League clash with Italy in familiar territory and a little over two months after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.
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Mbappe sealed a switch to ‘dream club’ Real Madrid this summer bringing an end to one of football's most anticipated and predictable transfers.
The 25-year-old spent seven seasons at his hometown club but much of his time in the French capital was overshadowed by endless speculation about his future.
Despite the tiresome links and Mbappe’s failure to address them, PSG fans, namely the club’s Ultras, maintained a good relationship with him and that continued even after the star announced his intention to leave the club in a video posted on social media in May.
Within an hour of the video going live, Mbappe arrived at the Parc des Princes for a pre-arranged barbeque and a public address in the stadium’s famous Virage Auteuil stand – home of the Collectif Ultras Paris.
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It split the fanbase. The Ultras appeared only too keen to toast the club’s all-time top scorer and greatest player to wear rouge et bleu, however some supporters housed in the remaining three stands tentatively vented their displeasure.
Despite an admission of the club's failures in their management of Mbappe, their issue was that a player who had been afforded everything in Paris, probably too much, had gone against his word of never leaving the club on a free transfer.
On top of that, Mbappe’s form had dipped in the second half of the season, something that continued into this summer’s Euros as France crashed out in the semi-final to eventual winners France.
On Friday, Mbappe makes a premature return to the Parc des Princes in a game that would have otherwise been played at the Stade de France but for the Paralympic Games in the French capital.
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This time, there will be no hot-dog filled PSG ultras at his beck and call, only national team fans and those of the French giants.
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Reports in France claim Mbappe is at risk of a hostile greeting at his old stomping ground, something that does not appear to faze the World Cup winner.
“The reception? I don’t expect much. I don’t care. The important thing is to win,” Mbappe told his press conference on Thursday.
“I feel good physically and mentally. I’m happy where I am and about what I do and I know it will get even better as the matches go on.
Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham celebrate Real Madrid's UEFA Super Cup win over Atalanta and Mbappe scores on his Los Blancos debut
Since Mbappe’s departure, his standing has slightly soured in Paris, not helped by an ongoing dispute over wages from last season.
The star claims PSG withheld his wages amounting to a whopping £46million plus substantial bonuses.
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It was linked to an arrangement between Mbappe and senior figures at the club to reintegrate the player back into the first team picture last summer, after he refused a move to Saudi Arabia as PSG desperately tried to recoup funds to prevent him leaving on a free.
During the agreement, the player agreed to relinquish a portion of his owed bonus to fill the financial void after PSG paid Monaco £160m for his services in 2017. But he has since appeared to change his mind.
French daily L’Equipe reported that the two parties will meet before the legal commission of the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) on September 11, to resolve the matter.
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Mbappe and his representatives contacted the LFP’s legal commission to fast track the dispute and claim the owed funds.
Whilst both Mbappe and PSG have seamlessly parted ways and made solid starts to their new respective eras, fans are somewhat justifiably miffed at Mbappe’s U-turn.
Moreover, in a season that has seen French football suffer from an underwhelming domestic and international television deal due in-part to the departure of its final world-class star.
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But out of the darkness comes light for PSG with the emergence of Bradley Barcola whose sparkling form has helped in moving on from Mbappe.
The 22-year-old has netted four goals in his first three games for the French champions and looks set to start against the Italians.
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Pressed on Barcola’s early-season form Mbappe talked up his former PSG teammate saying: “I am happy for him, he’s a very good guy.
“His potential is huge. He is going to play great games and he can do even better. What he’s doing is great, I’ve seen his games.”