MY ACCOUNT
Kylian Mbappe says he understands fan protests during Paris Saint-Germain’s 1-1 draw with Lens on Saturday which sealed a 10th consecutive Ligue 1 title.
PSG clinched the French league title with four games to spare with the point against a 10-man Lens side, who equalised via Corentin Jean in the 88th minute.
Home fans started to make their exit in the 75th minute in protest of the club’s management, while the final whistle was greeted by booing in sections of the Parc des Princes.
The 23-year-old Mbappe believes that while anger at the club’s eventual failure to win the Champions League in spite of substantial investment in the squad this season is understandable, a need to move on remains.
“Disappointed by the fans? Me no, I’m adapting,” Mbappe said. “They want to celebrate, they celebrate, they don’t want to celebrate, they don’t celebrate. They were disappointed, we totally understand them but it’s still been a month since it’s happened.
“They wanted to send a message, the club understood it. It’s them who decide, we’re nobody to tell them to celebrate or not. We won, we are happy.”
Having contributed 22 goals and 15 assists in 31 league appearances this season, Mbappe has now secured a fifth Ligue 1 title to go with his 2018 World Cup triumph on the list of team honours.
While there’s conjecture over whether the French international will stay at PSG, with his contract expiring at the end of the season, the ever-growing list of team and individual achievements is not lost upon him.
Ultimately, Mbappe says he and teammates found solace in the PSG dressing room, as fans celebrated outside the stadium.
“Maybe I’ll stay and we won’t win. I’m savouring the moment, it’s my fifth title. I never thought I’d win so much so quickly. I’m savouring it and I’m continuing to work,” he said.
“We were very happy, we celebrated in the locker room. Of course, the trophy was missing for a bigger festivity but the public was there. I think people were happy to be there. It’s not because a minority of supporters left, they don’t represent all PSG supporters.
“The stadium was full, we thanked them. Afterwards, we wanted to get closer to each other, meet between players to celebrate in the locker room.”
