Zlatan Ibrahimovic criticises Kylian Mbappe for thinking he is more
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been critical of Kylian Mbappe’s increasing influence at Paris Saint-Germain, with Ibrahimovic accusing the Frenchman of trying to be bigger than the club.
Mbappe signed a lucrative contract with PSG in May earlier this year, but last month reports emerged that he wanted to leave the club as early as January, with Real Madrid his preferred destination. Liverpool are also said to be interested.
There are three reasons why (opens in new tab) the forward wants to leave so soon after penning a deal until 2025, one of which relates to the fact Mbappe doesn’t like playing as a lone striker. Mbappe was reassured that he would no longer be playing up front by himself, but, without the arrival of a top-class striker, he continues to start up top.
Reports suggested he was promised prior to signing a centre-back would be signed so that he would have more licence to attack, especially after also believing Neymar would be sold in the summer, too.
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However, with none of those factors coming to pass, Mbappe has already decided he wants to leave the French champions.
This hasn’t gone down well with former PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, though, with the Swede criticising the way Mbappe perceives himself within the team.
Ibrahimovic told Canal Sport (opens in new tab) in France: “Mbappe has put himself in a situation where he is more important than the club. But you should never be bigger than a club because you are not.”
Indeed, Neymar has indirectly echoed Ibrahimovic’s sentiment, liking a social media post (opens in new tab) which suggested Mbappe controlled the club behind the scenes, thanks to his new contract. This came after the pair argued over the taking of a penalty against Montpellier in August, after Mbappe had missed one earlier in the match. Neymar scored the spot kick, but Mbappe decided against celebrating with his teammate.
Of course, Zlatan couldn’t help himself from ensuring the conversation directed back to himself, claiming Ligue 1 isn’t as strong because he no longer plays in France.
“Since I left France, everything is going down. You have nothing to talk about anymore. France needs me. I don’t need France. Even if you have Mbappe, Neymar and Messi, it doesn’t help you. Why? Because you don’t have God.”
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