1998 World Cup final scorer settles accounts with Kylian Mbappé

It's almost forgotten that Kylian Mbappé broke a record this week. With his goal in the 1-1 draw against Benfica Lisbon, he is the new record goalscorer for Paris St. Germain in the Champions League. 31 goals are in the jersey of the French top club to book, he overtook the Uruguayan Edinson Cavani. How many more will come seems more than unclear these days.

The relationship between Mbappé and PSG seems irreparably broken. If the reports from France are correct, the striker wants to leave the club in winter. He feels betrayed by the club's management and President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, according to "RMC Sport" and "Le Parisien". According to "L'Équipe", Mbappé is even considering terminating his contract, which runs until 2025, prematurely. PSG had so far openly denied all rumors.

But the anger remains. And now calls Emmanuel Petit with clear words on the plan. “Kylian is just annoying,” said the 1998 world champion, who was one of the scorers in the 3-0 final against Brazil, on Sport 1. “What has bothered me the most for the past few weeks is his communication. He is only designed for a confrontational course. It's all about him and he hardly cares about the sporting aspect anymore. It's kind of an own goal.”

Mbappé is said to have been dissatisfied with his situation in Paris for a few weeks - especially with his position. Under coach Christophe Galtier, the 23-year-old is mainly used in the centre, but he sees himself as a winger. In addition, as part of his contract extension in May, he was given the prospect of signing Robert Lewandowski for the center forward position. Instead, Mbappé has to fill the unloved role himself.

"There's always talk of bosses making promises to Kylian that didn't come through. That's part of it, too," analyzed Petit, who was under contract as a professional from 1989 to 2004 at AS Monaco, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona and FC Chelsea. The 52-year-old dislikes Mbappé's reaction: "Does he have to stop work and appear in a bad mood for training? He places himself above the Paris Saint-Germain club. That does not work."

Mbappé has repeatedly shown himself listless in recent weeks, most recently in the game against Reims last weekend. He acknowledged an instruction from Galtier with a shake of his head, then crept back from the sidelines to the center of the attack.

Mbappé's behavior is said to have already caused a split in the cabin. Above all, the Brazilian faction around Neymar, whose departure Mbappé was also promised according to media reports, is said to have finally turned away from the French. The relationship between the two superstars is considered difficult anyway.

Petit has currently identified a clear culprit in Mbappé. "He shows no respect for his employer or his teammates. You can only regret that," he said, and immediately followed up with an explanation: "The fact that he has become the highest-paid player of all time may have gone to his head." Mbappé was just last Saturday with earnings of $ 128 million (around 131 million euros) this year in the “Forbes” list to the highest-earning professional footballer.

On Sunday, Mbappé has the chance to calm things down a bit on the pitch. PSG meet Olympique Marseille in the top game in the league - and are under pressure after three games without a win. Not just because of his controversial striker.