PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN’S sporting chief Leonardo has defended “adorable” Kylian Mbappe from criticism surrounding his touchline row with Thomas Tuchel.
The 21-year-old striker’s attitude has been called into question following a public spat with his manager after he was subbed against Montpellier.
Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe was criticised for his reaction to being substituted by Thomas TuchelCredit: AP:Associated Press
The Frenchman was fuming with the German gaffer after being withdrawn from play during the 5-0 win, despite Mbappe having scored with the three points already wrapped up.
The bust-up fuelled rumours Mbappe is angling for a move to Real Madrid after becoming fed-up at regularly being subbed before either Neymar or Angel Di Maria.
While PSG chief Leonardo admitted that the World Cup Winner’s behaviour will be addressed, he claimed that fans should “rejoice” that he’s with the club.
Speaking to Canal+ after the Ligue 1 champions 4-2 win over Lyon on Sunday, he said: “I heard things about Mbappe, on his personality.
To say that he is a spoiled child, I don’t accept that. Because he’s an adorable, very committed person and a fantastic player
PSG chief Leonardo on Kylian Mbappe
“It makes me feel uncomfortable. If a player leaves the field, and talks to the coach, ok … He is at fault. We will talk about it and settle this.
“But to say that he is a spoiled child, I don’t accept that. Because he’s an adorable, very committed person and a fantastic player.”
Former Brazil International Leonardo later responded to a journalist naming the world’s top five footballers as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mbappe, Neymar and Mohamed Salah.
He added: “In the Top 4, there is one 35 years old, another 32 years old and the other two they are 28 and 21 years old.
“And these two are with us. Let us rejoice. I am a happy sports director. We should take advantage of that.
“It’s the joy of football. We have to stop talking about the problems.”
Leonardo’s summary of Mbappe comes days after SunSport revealed the generous striker regularly proves his class off the pitch.
Last year, the brilliant forward kindly donated £26,000 to help fund a private search for Emiliano Sala’s crashed plane.
And the year before that, Mbappe donated all his reported £384,000 World Cup match fees and bonuses to a children’s charity.
Kylian Mbappé and PSG boss Thomas Tuchel involved in another touchline bust-up after French star is subbed off
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
