(Paris Saint-Germain-Real Sociedad 2-0, Lazio-Bayern 1-0) Kylian Mbappe was once again a central player for Paris Saint-Germain. Now questions are being asked about the French star's development.
He threw his foot forward when he cautiously scored 1-0 from behind in the Champions League round of 16. Paris Saint-Germain won easily and had a good starting point heading into the second leg.
– An easy result for him, was the referee of TV 2 commentator Simin Stamso Müller.
“Unbelievable luck, the corner in front of you was never meant to be given,” said Morten Langley in the TV 2 studio.
– We are satisfied, but the mission is not completed, says Mbappe in an interview shown on the channel.
It was his 44th result in the tournament overall. Huge numbers for the 25-year-old who, along with Erling Braut Haaland, is considered the biggest star in football.
But more people are now asking questions about the Frenchman.
“Mbappe's career since the World Cup has mostly revolved around a series of off-pitch controversies, mostly over his unwillingness to sign a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain last summer. There hasn't been much to write home about in the Champions League. And what's worse: He doesn't expect much this season.” Miguel Delaney in The Independent Before tonight's game.
Simen Stamso Muller has said the following about the Frenchman's flirtation with Real Madrid.
“I thought it might not be so stupid to use a strategy to build your own reputation and make yourself more attractive than it is now, but it has become insulting and boring,” said Stamso Müller before the match.
At the same time, it is difficult to take Mbappé into statistics. The speedy attacking player has scored 31 goals in all competitions this season – ten more than Erling Braut Haaland.
On Wednesday night, he was very close to scoring twice, but a good Remiro against Real Madrid stopped Mbappe.
-When you have this status, you have to put up with a lot of bullshit. I read an article about “What has he done since the World Cup”? An average of one goal per match. What should we expect? From a purely footballing point of view, there is not much one can put their finger on, says Erik Thorstveit in the TV 2 studio.
Delaney at The Independent still believes it goes without saying that most of the talk in international football is about Haaland and Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, and less about the Paris Saint-Germain star.
“This could be the price to pay for signing more huge contracts for a sports laundering project with financial power that has made the French league irrelevant. Mbappe is expected to leave Paris Saint-Germain. The question is not just where. The question is also whether Mbappe is in “Danger of wasting his amazing talent,” writes Delaney.
French newspaper Le Parisien reported last week that Mbappe has chosen Real Madrid when his contract expires in the summer.
In Rome, Bayern attacked Lazio. Dayot Upamecano received a straight red card and Ciro Immobile scored from the subsequent penalty kick.
“Infuriatingly humble internet trailblazer. Twitter buff. Beer nerd. Bacon scholar. Coffee practitioner.”
