PSG vs Marseille: Galtier plays down Mbappe exit 'rumours'

Mbappe has dominated the headlines with his reportedly “broken relationship” with PSG.

Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier has criticized news outlets for their coverage of Kylian Mbappe’s situation at the club.

Widespread reports have emerged of Mbappe’s serious problems with the French club’s hierarchy in recent days.

Sources in both English and French publications have claimed the Frenchman has even requested to leave PSG this Winter.

However, Galtier believes the rumours don’t matter as long as the star striker keeps delivering world-class performances for the Parisians.

“You have to have experience and be a certain age to be able to manage these things,” he said.

“What I’d like to say is you never speak about football. You ask me lots of questions. I’m not talking about you individually, but you, the media.

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“I’ve been here many times as the Paris Saint-Germain coach and I have a feeling that match after match, press conference after press conference, we have to speak for 10 or 15 minutes and for maybe one minute about football. It is topics away from football.

“Whatever I say to you, you don’t believe me, because you write the opposite and you say the opposite. Whether it is the written press, the radio, television, you say the opposite of what I say.

“So when I say that this [player] is well, they get on well, they are serious, they are professional, they have solidarity, it interests nobody. Other things are written.“

‘He answered the rumours’

Mbappe scored PSG’s only goal in their 1-1 draw against Benfica on Tuesday. The Frenchman himself is yet to address his recent issues with the club. But Galtier believes his performance on the pitch shows he still recognises his place in PSG’s lineup.

“I am not here to comment on rumours. To answer your question about Kylian Mbappe, there is a rumour that came out before the game [against Benfica on Tuesday]. He had the best answer. He was named man of the match and showed solidarity.

“As for what is happening away from that, you have the right to talk about other things, but when you ask me questions I answer honestly. I have lots of faults, but I am very honest. When I say it, it is true. But when I say those things, nothing is written in the press, and you often see the opposite anyway.

“So to answer about Kylian Mbappe, have I spoken to him regarding the rumour, no.

“I am very proud to be the coach of Paris Saint-Germain and to be in charge of these players. Please, write that and let’s talk about football.”