Paris Saint-Germain secured a late game-tying goal from Gonçalo Ramos for the 1-1 draw against Stade Rennais on Sunday at the Parc des Princes. Nonetheless, the focal point of the match unfolded when Kylian Mbappé was substituted in the 65th minute.
Manager Luis Enrique decided to make a decision that likely sent shockwaves down the squad. PSG was down 1-0 and looking for a goal to level the scoring, which paid off with Ramos generating the foul that led to a penalty kick chance and then converting the shot.
After the match, Enrique spoke postgame, and obviously, the main question was about his decision to take the Frenchman out of the game.
“It’s very easy to answer you,” Enrique said (h/t Culture PSG). “Before or after, sooner or later… We will have to get used to playing without Kylian. When? When I consider it appropriate whether he plays or not, as all coaches do with their players.”
Additionally, the 25-year-old may provoke dissatisfaction among sure PSG fans by passing the captain’s armband to Vitinha for it to be placed on Danilo Pereira. Typically, the departing captain would transfer the armband to the player set to lead the team for the remainder of the match.
As rumors circulate about his impending move to Real Madrid within the next few months, pictures like these could cast a bitter conclusion to the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner’s time with his local club.
