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It has been written for days that Kylian Mbappe will leave PSG in January because he is unhappy in the French capital.

Even PSG coach and sports director Christophe Galtier and Luis Campos denied those claims, but the French media did not stop writing about the departure of the biggest French star from the Parc des Princes. In the end, Mbappe himself spoke out, rejecting the possibility of leaving PSG.

“I read that information on the day of the match with Benfica, I don’t know where the journalists got it from. I have no idea about it, I was shocked like everyone else when they heard it. It’s all a complete lie, I’m happy at PSG”, said Mbappe for RMC Sport.

But despite Mbappe’s denial, it is hard to believe that the French media will not continue to “move” him from PSG.

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Initially the Spanish, and then the French media, announced the bombastic news that Kylian Mbappe wants to leave PSG in January next year and continue his career in another club.

This news was initially published by the Spanish Marca, and then the French Le Parisien, stating that Mbappe will leave PSG in January and seek happiness elsewhere. “The PSG striker feels betrayed by the club’s leaders and finds that the promises he received were not fulfilled,” writes Le Parisien, while the news was soon confirmed by L’Équipe.

The European media immediately started speculating where Mbappe could continue his career, and although it is clear that Real Madrid is the first favorite and the dream club of this footballer, it is also mentioned that he could continue his career at Liverpool.

It is known that since January of this year, the saga regarding Mbappe’s new club lasted for five months and that his departure to Madrid was “almost finished”, but at the end of May, under great pressure, he changed his decision and signed a new contract with PSG until 2025.

For weeks now, a cloud has hung over the PSG dressing room. Despite powerful performances on the pitch, including a 7-1 smashing of Lille, there is trouble at the top.

Two of the most promising young talents in world football are at odds with each other, when they should be blending their skills together to make truly beautiful football. Here is what you need to know about the biggest grudge match in French football: Neymar v Mbappe.

Paying the Penalty

Paris Saint-Germain has become a victim of its own success and largess with this petty penalty feud. Two of the biggest players in Europe, the brightest stars in the Parisian sky, have fallen out with each other over the penalty taking order.

PSG’s dream of seeing these two players combine on the pitch and set goalscoring records could be in tatters. Boss Christophe Galtier seems to have backed Neymar in the argument, but taking sides is probably a mistake.

This hasn’t hurt PSG’s chances of winning Ligue 1. The bookmakers still favour them to win, with bet365 Norge giving them odds of 1/25; a 96% probability. Their dominance in their domestic league is not the issue though. Paris Saint-Germain needs all its firepower fully functional if they are finally going to mount a serious challenge for the Champions League.

Sergio Ramos Blocks a Challenge

The feud began earlier this month in the match with Montpellier. Mbappe has seen his first penalty saved and wanted to take the second when it was awarded, but Neymar stepped in. From his perspective, Mbappe took his opportunity earlier and now it was his turn. He has a point.

The atmosphere between the pair in the dressing room was so tense that defensive legend and former captain of Real Madrid, Sergio Ramos, has to take action. He prevented the pair from physically clashing.

This led to a first-team meeting where both players were reprimanded by the boss for letting things go too far, and Mbappe was told that it was Neymar’s pen. Though both players apologised to the manager and their teammates, the relationship between the two is still frosty.

Mbappe Has Problems with Messi Too

Reports from the backrooms of the Parc des Princes suggest that Neymar is not the only big name that Mbappe has problems with. He and Lionel Messi have never really clicked on or off the pitch, and Messi backed Neymar in the dispute, and allegedly took time to tell Mbappe as much.

Kylian Mbappe’s poor relationships with some of his most important teammates are a danger for PSG, both on the field and off. When he signed a three-year contract extension this summer it reportedly contained a clause that gave Mbappe influence in the club’s major sporting decisions.

His close friendship with the club’s new sporting director, Luis Campos, goes back to their days together at Monaco. Mbappe could start flexing his muscles in the boardroom to influence team selections and contract extensions of his foes.

Until Mbappe calms down and feels his rightful place at the top of the pecking order has been restored, things are going to get worse. If PSG is going to challenge for every trophy, this needs fixing.

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Mbappé and Leo Messi led the comeback against RB Leipzig (3 – 2) with Ronaldinho being an exceptional witness from the box in the Parc des Princes.

Neymar, Ramos, Di María and Icardi were not present, but the individual qualities, once again, saved a bland Paris Saint-Germain that, in defense, had some leaks. Every Leipzig attack was extremely dangerous. Keylor Navas, who started ahead of Donnarumma, ruined the first chances for Laimer and André Silva.

Mbappé, on the other hand, did not miss his chances. Marquinhos stole, Draxler sent Kylian on the run who broke Orban to score 1 – 0 with a dry shot for his first goal. His love affair with the European Cup has no end: he has participated in 46 goals (28 goals and 18 assists) in 46 games.

PSG did score, but Leipzig was a constant threat. André Silva warned with a shot to the post in the 27th minute. A minute later, he retaliated. Angeliño served the ‘pass of death’ and the former Sevilla player finished off to equalise. He hadn’t scored in the Champions League since December 2017.

Every drive to the ‘open country’ of Nkunku caused panic in the Park of the Princes. However, it was again Angeliño who enabled Mukiele to score for 1 – 2 in the 57th minute.

PSG were stunned, out of the game. Messi barely managed to enter the game… but Leipzig ‘blew themselves up’. A loss from Tyler Adams left Mbappé toe-to-toe with Gulácsi. Kylian, generous, gave the goal to Messi. The comeback was made by Messi, but led by Mbappé. The attacker “invented” a penalty for a slight push from Simakan. He immediately turned to Leo and said: “You take it.” That’s how it went. Messi, with a penalty “a la Panenka”, made it 3 – 2 in the 74th minute.

The ecstasy in Paris was total. It could have been even bigger… but Mbappé missed a penalty made on Achraf Hakimi in the 94th minute. PSG is the leader of Group A with 7 points. They’re followed by City with 6.

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PSG players have suffered their first defeat of the season in a Ligue 1 away match from Rennes, with the result ending 2 – 0 in favour of the home side.

PSG started today’s match with Neymar, Messi and Mbappe in attack, while Di Maria, Verrati and Gueye played behind them, but even in that composition they could not avoid defeat and the home team completely deservedly beat them. Although PSG had control of the ball and much greater possession at the beginning of the match, the home players had several dangerous opportunities and in the end they took a 1 – 0 lead through Laborda at the end of the first half.

It should also be mentioned that PSG had their best chance in the first half through Messi, who shot brilliantly from a free kick, but the crossbar stopped that attempt.

It was clear that the home team would come to victory in the 46th minute when Tait scored for 2 – 0 and brought a great lead to his team. Although PSG had several good chances by the end of the match, they still failed to score and in the end suffered their first defeat of the season.

After nine games played, PSG firmly remain first on the table with eight wins and one defeat, or 24 points won. In the next match, they will face Angers at home.