Enrique confirms Mbappe's PSG departure

Cameron Smith

• 25 Feb 2024 20:33 GMT
• 3 min read

Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique has admitted that his side “have to get used to playing without Kylian Mbappe,” all but confirming the Frenchman will leave the club this summer.

Mbappe, 25, was withdrawn in the 65th minute of PSG’s 1-1 draw against Rennes on Sunday night, despite the fact they were trailing 1-0 at the time of his substitution.

It was the first time that Mbappe had been substituted after starting a Ligue 1 match since he picked up a hamstring injury against Montpellier on 1 February 2023.

Enrique’s decision paid off spectacularly, however, as Ramos scored a 97th minute equaliser from the penalty spot to rescue a late point at the Parc des Princes. The Portugal international was adjudged to have been fouled by Rennes shot-stopper Steve Mandanda, although the incident was initially missed by the on-field referee before VAR intervened.

In the process, Ramos became the first PSG player other than Mbappe to score a Ligue 1 penalty since August 2022, with the former Benfica star now up to nine goal contributions this season.

Kylian Mbappe to leave PSG

Mbappe has been a vital player for PSG since his arrival from AS Monaco, but he now seems set to leave the club on a free transfer this summer after informing Nasser Al-Khelaifi that he will not be extending his stay at the Parc des Princes.

Real Madrid are the heavy favourites to sign Mbappe, with Los Blancos long-term admirers of the France international and Mbappe himself dreaming of playing for the club.

Although he rejected a move to the Santiago Bernabeu in favour of staying at PSG in 2022, Mbappe is now on the verge of joining the Spanish giants this summer.

Enrique’s latest comments confirm that Mbappe will leave PSG once the 2023-24 season ends. When asked why the 25-year-old was taken off during the draw versus Rennes, Enrique replied: “Sooner or later, we have to get used to playing without Kylian Mbappe,” as per Abdellah Boulma.