PSG boss Galtier 'surprised' by timing of reports Mbappe wants to leave club
Reports that the French striker would leave the club in January emerged hours before Tuesday's Champions League draw with Benfica
Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe scores the opening goal in the Champions League against Benfica, at the Parc des Princes Stadium, on October 11, 2022. AFP
Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring. AFP
Kylian Mbappe celebrates with teammates. AFP
Benfica's Joao Mario levels at 1-1 from the penalty spot. Reuters
Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier has downplayed reports that rumours over the future of star striker Kylian Mbappe caused disruption to the team's preparations ahead of Tuesday's Champions League match with Benfica.
A 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes - in which Mbappe scored from the penalty spot - was the third successive match PSG have shared the points with their opponents and keeps them top of Group H on eight points, ahead of their Portuguese rivals.
It came after various media reports in Spain and France earlier in the day suggested Mbappe would seek to leave PSG in January, despite penning a new three-year contract in the summer.
"I know nothing," Galtier said when asked about the reports following Tuesday's game.
"All I know is that a rumour became a story and then that almost became a declaration."
He added: "I didn't see anything unusual in Kylian's preparation for the game, and he played with a lot of rhythm and intensity and gave a response to the rumours.
"We remained focused on the match and I don't think the rumour disrupted our preparations."
Mbappe's goal was his 12th of the season but he is reportedly unhappy at his positioning in the PSG team amid relentless speculation of a rift between the French striker and Brazilian teammate Neymar.
PSG v Benfica ratings
PSG PLAYER RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma 5 – Had very little to do until he received a pass from Marquinhos when under pressure. He panicked, and ended up kicking the ball needlessly out of play. In the second half, Grimaldo’s speculative effort almost caught him out, while he could do little about Mario’s convincing penalty. Shaky performance. AFP
Achraf Hakimi 5 – A quiet night for Hakimi, who found attacking space hard to come by, and who had to deal with a lively Grimaldo. Lucky not to give away a penalty when a deep cross caught the top of his arm, preventing Mario from a shot at goal. Reuters
Sergio Ramos 5 – Efficient winning the ball back and playing the simple pass. He thought he teed up Mbappe for the winner, but the forward’s late goal was disallowed for offside. AFP
Marquinhos 7 – On hand to tidy up when needed. He made a crucial intervention to block Draxler in the closing stages. AFP
Danilo 6 – Another solid, if not spectacular outing for the defender. Formed a steely barrier to thwart Benfica’s movement. Reuters
Juan Bernat 5 – A disappointing night for Bernat, though it was from his run into the box that PSG earned the penalty that gave them the lead; the Spaniard crocked by Silva. AFP
Vitinha 6 – One of PSG’s more effective midfielders on an evening where they found it difficult finding a way through Benfica’s formation. AFP
Marco Verratti 5 – Effective at keeping the ball moving in the first half, he was punished in the second when his boot caught Silva. It was his first penalty conceded in European action for the French side. AFP
Neymar 5 – In a game of few chances for the Brazilian, he headed over in a move that had already been pulled back for offside. He came to life just before the break, flicking the ball over Luis before being stopped in his tracks by Bah. Was on the receiving end of several hard challenges. AFP
Pablo Sarabia 4 – Had one shot on goal in the first half but it was lacking in power, and posed no problems for Vlachodimos. A poor evening from Lionel Messi’s replacement. AFP
Kylian Mbappe 7 – Looked a danger when running at the Benfica defence from the left. He gave the home side the lead from the penalty spot after Bernat was upended in the box, and in doing so became PSG’s highest ever scorer in the Champions League, with 30 goals. Came close to a second after the break but his effort went agonisingly wide of the post, and then saw a late volley ruled out for offside. AFP
SUBS: Hugo Ekitike (Sarabia 72') N/A – Had a few touches on the ball until Mukiele entered the field, at which point they seemed to cancel each other out. AP
Nordi Mukiele (Bernat 85’) N/A – Unable to unlock the visitors’ defence in his five-minute cameo. AFP
Fabian Ruiz (Vitinha 86’) N/A – Had little time to impress. Perhaps surprising that he wasn’t introduced earlier. AFP
Carlos Soler (Mbappe 90’) N/A – A late arrival, but did little to suggest he has what it takes to oust any of the starting XI. AFP
BENFICA PLAYER RATINGS: Odysseas Vlachodimos 5 – There was little he could do about the penalty, but he saved well from Mbappe at his near post on the stroke of half-time to keep his side in the game. Getty
Alexander Bah 4 – Tidy on the ball, but he had his hands full with Mbappe when the Frenchman pulled wide to the left. The Dane was arguably lucky to escape a card given some of his challenges. AFP
Antonio Silva 6 – Contained the home side’s attacking trio well until he lost his head when committing to a rash tackle to floor Bernat and gift PSG a penalty. Beyond than, it was another impressive performance from the youngster. EPA
Nicolas Otamendi 7 – Did well to contain the front three given he received a yellow card as early as the 21st minute. Kept his cool throughout. EPA
Alex Grimaldo 6 – Neat and tidy with the ball at his feet, he took a kick to the head when stopping low to head clear from Sarabia. He troubled Donnarumma momentarily when his speculative effort from the left side of the area almost caught out the Italian. AFP
Florentino Luis 7 – Made a brilliantly timed challenge to deny Mbappe in the second half after the Frenchman had turned on the afterburners and cut into the visitors’ box. Also did his part for the team by covering Silva when needed. AFP
Enzo Fernandez 6 – Received a yellow card in the second half for a late challenge on Neymar, before fouling the Brazilian twice in succession shortly afterwards. Was lucky not to see red from referee Michael Oliver. AFP
Joao Mario 6 – Got frustrated in the first half and lashed out at Verratti to give away a needless free-kick. After the break, he delivered a cross that Ramos almost converted before levelling from the spot to draw the scores level. AFP
Rafa Silva 6 – Found himself with a yard to shoot following a neat lay off from Aursnes, but he leaned back and blazed over. He was later caught by Verratti in the box in a challenge that led to Benfica’s equaliser. AFP
Fredrik Aursnes 7 – A nuisance in the fast half, finding pockets of space in the PSG area. Did well to cause havoc between the lines. AFP
Goncalo Ramos 6 – Found opportunities at a premium, but he came close with a header following Mario’s cross. His glanced effort finished just wide of the post. AFP
SUBS: Gilberto (Bah 63') 5 – His biggest contribution was a headed clearance that also saw him clean out Sergio Ramos at the same time. AFP
Rodrigo Pinho (Ramos 78') N/A – Not quite the presence in attack Benfica needed against PSG’s disciplined defence. EPA
Julian Draxler (Silva 78') N/A – The German returned to his former club and came close with a late effort that was blocked expertly by Marquinhos. EPA
Diogo Goncalves (Luis, 78) N/A – Benfica were weakened by Luis’ departure, but Goncalves ensured Benfica remained hard to break down / Chiquinho (Mario, 90) N/A – A late change as the visitors doubled down for the point. EPA
Galtier questioned the motivation behind the reports coming out when they did, with PSG – minus the injured Lionel Messi – missing the chance to secure qualification for the Champions League last 16 with two group games to spare following the draw.
"That this rumour should emerge just four or five hours before this game, I am entitled to be surprised," he said.
"Who does this rumour help? Who is it useful to? Not us."
PSG salaries 2022/23
Paris Saint Germain's Kylian Mbappe is the club's top earner, according to capology.com, with a weekly salary of €1,748,269, or €90,910,000 a year. EPA