Kylian Mbappe says reports he wants to leave PSG 'completely false'

French striker says he was as 'surprised as everyone else' by timing of story last week

Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe, centre, in action against Marseille's Valentin Rongier, left, during the French Ligue 1 match at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France, 16 October 2022. PSG won the game 1-0. EPA

Marseille's Jonathan Clauss and Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe in action. EPA

Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe gives a thumbs up at the end of the match. AFP

Marseille's Argentine defender Leonardo Balerdi fights for the ball with Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe. AFP

Paris Saint-Germain's Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma hugs Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe. AFP

Kylian Mbappe reacts after missing a goal opportunity. AFP

Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar celebrates after opening the scoring with teammate Kylian Mbappe. AFP

PSG's Kylian Mbappe reacts during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo / Thibault Camus)

Kylian Mbappe in action. Reuters

Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar and Kylian Mbappe warm up before kick off. AFP

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."

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

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