Luis Enrique has said he hopes ‘for the story to end beautifully’ between Kylian Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe is set to leave PSG when his contract expires in the summer and has agreed a deal to sign for Real Madrid on a free transfer.
The 25-year-old will depart the French champions as the club’s all-time record scorer having netted 250 goals in 298 appearances across all competitions since his arrival from AS Monaco.
His impending exit has led to some friction between the player and head coach, and Mbappe was visibly irritated by Enrique’s decision after his substitution – with PSG leading 1-0 – in Sunday’s Le Classique win over Marseille.
Mbappe has been Ligue 1’s leading scorer in five consecutive campaigns and is on course for a sixth straight accolade, with the France captain nine goals clear of nearest challenger Jonathan David in the race for the Golden Boot.
PSG are 12 points clear in the title race and heading towards a record-extending 12th league title, while Enrique’s side remain in the hunt for a historic quadruple.
The Parisians take on Rennes in the semi-final of the Coupe de France this evening and face a huge Champions League quarter-final tie with Barcelona later this month.
Enrique is hopeful that Mbappe can finish the campaign strongly and end his time at PSG on a high, as the club look to continue their domestic dominance and end an elusive wait for Champions League success.
“I would love for the story to end beautifully for PSG and for Mbappé, for everyone,” Enrique said at a press conference ahead of the clash with Rennes.
“We are all in the same boat.”
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