Having one of the top three players in the world is a weapon to take pride in and leverage for competing for all titles. However, how difficult it is to lose this star to a competitor, especially when the departure is without compensation. The trend of Mbappé leaving Paris Saint-Germain for Real Madrid has lingered for four years, and as it nears its end, tensions have escalated, fueled by the French club's desire to retaliate against the player.
**The Spark of the Crisis**
Paris Saint-Germain held onto the hope that Mbappé would stay with the team for at least one more season and activate the extension clause in his contract, which would ensure he received the full loyalty bonuses. However, the player ignited the crisis in mid-February when he met with president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and informed him that he would leave "the Prince’s Park" for free and would not extend his contract. Although this meeting was supposed to be confidential, PSG soon leaked its details to the French press, which angered Mbappé as it would turn the Parisian fans against him.
**Al-Khelaifi's Revenge**
Al-Khelaifi had no way to retaliate against Mbappé after being informed of his impending free departure, especially after learning that the French star was negotiating a move to Real Madrid. The French media reported that Al-Khelaifi told a close associate that Mbappé would not wear a Paris shirt again if he signed with Madrid. However, the PSG president later backtracked and spoke to coach Luis Enrique about whether to include the player in matches.
By doing this, Al-Khelaifi withdrew from direct confrontation and engaged in a retaliatory battle against Mbappé through Enrique, aiming to thwart the player's perfect plan to leave "the Prince’s Park" while maintaining his relationship with the fans.
**A Crisis Under the Law**
Football laws grant coaches full rights to play and substitute players, but Enrique exploited this in a way that defies logic, continuously depriving his team of one of the world’s best players simply out of revenge for his free transfer to Real Madrid. The crisis between Mbappé and Enrique escalated to the point where the French star played a full 90 minutes only once among the last seven matches in Ligue 1, and his substitution became a repetitive sight in PSG games.
Mbappé appeared saddened after being substituted against Marseille in last Sunday’s French league classic, and cameras captured him muttering words as he exited the pitch, which reports suggested were insults directed at Enrique. As soon as the Parisian star saw his number on the fourth official's electronic board, he showed displeasure with a grimace before leaving the field, visibly unhappy with his coach's decision.
**Who Will Step Back?**
Enrique is undoubtedly striving to achieve a historic treble with PSG during his first season at "the Prince’s Park", a goal shared with Mbappé, who is experiencing his final months in Paris. Despite both parties sharing a mutual desire for a successful season, the current battle between player and coach threatens to disrupt their path to a happy conclusion, particularly if Enrique continues to substitute Mbappé in matches, and if the player persistently expresses his frustration with the coach.
The escalation of the crisis between Mbappé and Enrique coincides with the upcoming clash between Paris and Barcelona, which could prematurely determine the success of PSG's season or grant the French giant the opportunity to continue pursuing the treble dream.
