Presnel Kimpembe stated he was not made aware of Kylian Mbappe taking over as the club’s vice captain, which has caused a new issue for the forward in the Paris Saint-Germain locker room.
Kimpembe’s recent comments indicate that the players did not receive Kylian Mbappe’s selection as the team’s vice captain well.
Mbappe led Les Parisiens to a 7-0 thrashing of French sixth-tier underdogs US Pays de Cassel on Monday, scoring a club-record five goals in the process.
With his elevated position at the club as a result of his new three-year deal signed in May, he took the team’s first official starting position when club captain Marquinhos was absent.
“I determined that he is the second captain since the beginning of the season; he deserves to carry this armband while Marquinhos is not there because he has decided to stay,” PSG manager Christophe Galtier said.
However, Kimpembe, who had previously possessed the status, was not informed of that decision.
Kimpembe posted on Instagram, “In the last few hours, I have been able to hear and read a lot about myself. So that erroneous information isn’t circulated further in this regard, I want to make things clear.
This statement is untrue; I was not informed of this choice. Having said that, I will always accept the club’s decisions.”
A notable omission in the selection of Mbappe for the vice-captaincy was Lionel Messi, who captained Barcelona for three seasons but does not have the same status in Paris.
Mbappe celebrated one of his goals in front of Messi in the World Cup final, hinting at growing hostility between the two.
In the winners’ celebrations following the final, Emi Martinez of Argentina made fun of Mbappe, PSG’s lone representative on the French World Cup team.
The club granted Mbappe time off while they celebrated Messi’s victory upon his return, further stoking rumors of a strained relationship.
The most recent developments coincide with Mbappe’s rumored ongoing spat with Neymar, his attacking teammate.
In a Ligue 1 match earlier this season, Mbappe and Neymar had a disagreement on the order of penalty takers.
Former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos reportedly had to intervene to break up the argument, and manager Galtier called a team meeting where the two were reprimanded.
But it seems more and more like a tense relationship.
Following rumors of an exit, Mbappe recently declined to pledge his future to PSG. When questioned about his apparent transfer request in November, the France international responded, “For now, a second World Cup. After that, I’m not sure.”
He has not yet given an update on his plans, but it doesn’t seem like things are particularly settled or joyful in the dressing room at Parc des Princes.
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