Kylian Mbappe has denied media reports claiming that he wants to leave Paris Saint-Germain in January, saying he was surprised by the news and the timing of it.
Several French media outlets published reports last Tuesday that the French striker was unhappy with the club over unfulfilled promises on signings - just hours before PSG's Champions League match against Benfica.
"I never asked for my departure in January," he told reporters after PSG's 1-0 win over Marseille in Ligue 1 on Sunday.
"The information that came out on the day of the [Champions League match against Benfica], I did not understand it. I am not involved in this information neither directly nor indirectly."
PSG coach Christophe Galtier said he also found the timing of the stories suspect following the 1-1 draw against Benfica.
Mbappe scored from the penalty spot in the match, a result that kept the Parisians top of Group H on eight points, ahead of their Portuguese rivals.
"I was as shocked by this news as everyone else. People may think I'm involved, I'm not at all," Mbappe added.
"I was taking a nap, my entourage was at my little brother's game. We were stunned when we found out.
"Afterwards, we had to deal with it, we had a match to play. I just wanted to say that it's completely false, I'm very happy here."
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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
The 23-year-old France international was linked with a move to La Liga champions Real Madrid last summer and was expected to move from the Paris club after five years.
Instead, Mbappe penned a new three-year contract at the Parc des Princes, but rumours of his apparent unhappiness in France, coupled with persistent reports of a falling out with teammate Neymar, continue to linger.
Neymar's goal in first-half injury time was enough to seal the three points against bitter rivals Marseille, who had Samuel Gigot sent off in the 72nd minute.
PSG top Ligue 1 on 29 points, three ahead of surprise challengers Lorient.
PSG v Benfica ratings
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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
