Superstar Kylian Mbappe, 24, has resumed his PSG training. At the training, President Nasser al-Khelaifi was also present. Mbappe and Al-Khelaifi, however, stood apart from one another as the entire team posed for a picture, as if to say, “I’m at the head of the river, you… in the middle of the river.”
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The two most “powerful” men in PSG recently posed together, and some of the strain in their relationship can be seen in the picture. President Al-Khelaifi is visiting the new Campus PSG for the first time, and Mbappe came to train there for the first time as well. The new £ 257 million facility debuted in June.
Al-Khelaifi usually meets each player and has a private conversation with them to get an update on the situation and boost spirits before the new season. Instead, he personally welcomed six new players to the team, including Lee Kang In, Cher Ndour, Lucas Hernandez, Marco Asensio, and Manuel Ugarte.
He has no motive to meet the French striker, and neither does Mbappe. This powerful president appears to try to avoid meeting with Mbappe until his destiny at Parc des Princes is decided.
“Nassar al-Khelaifi pretended to visit the PSG campus in order to check on Kylian Mbappe’s attendance at the practice field. Al-Khelaifi felt at ease when he witnessed Mbappe in action exercising and having fun with his teammates. However, he decided against setting up a private meeting because of the escalating hostilities between the club and the French international, according to the Le Parisien daily.
Prior to witnessing the entire practice, President Al-Khelaifi gave a 15-minute address in which he thanked Sergio Rico for helping him recover from a serious horse fall accident. Al-Khelaifi’s statement is really firm and directed at Mbappe.
Al-Khelaifi highlighted that no one is superior than the club as a result. A player shouldn’t continue at the Parc des Princes if he plays without regard for the team and only for himself.
“I am aware that last season’s public relations were poor. But let’s be as focused as we can this season, play the most thrilling football, and everything will be fine. The best method for the athletes to show the supporters they appreciate their support and respect them is by making them happy.
Because they have to pay to watch you play and to support you even when you are going through the most difficult time, I want you to go say hello to the fans after every game. They are the main sponsor for us. Even though it’s difficult, you have to respect that.
You guys are in the top training facility in the world, look at that. You folks should be happy and proud of it. You have everything you need to succeed here; there is no excuse not to, Al-Khelaifi stated. He uses a blend of French and English in his speech. Another advice for the players is that learning French before joining PSG is advised because English is not always used there.
Last but not least, he made it clear that at PSG, the head coach is the one who makes the final decision. Now, everyone at PSG—including Luis Enrique, Luis Campos, the board, the players, and the staff—is on the same page.
The club is larger than everyone in the room. taller than me even. I anticipate that you will play and train with the same intensity. You must put in a lot of effort, Al-Khelaifi said.
President Al-Khelaifi thus continues to abide by the July 31 deadline even though he has the option of asking Mbappe during this meeting. The 49-year-old strong guy chose not to set up a private meeting with Mbappe, though.
Mbappe is convinced that the optional one-year extension would not be used, on his side. The 24-year-old powerhouse striker will wait until the end of the 2023–24 season to go on a free transfer if PSG does not sell him in the summer of 2023.
