Kylian Mbappe says he understands fan protests during Paris Saint-Germain’s 1-1 draw with Lens on Saturday which closed out the 10th consecutive Ligue 1 title.
PSG won the French league title with four games to go and a 10-point lead against Lens, with Corentin Jean in the 88th minute.
The home fans started coming out in the 75th minute against the club’s management, and the final whistle was greeted with tears from parts of the Parc des Princes.
Kylian Mbappe, 23, believes that although anger over the club’s failure to finally win the UEFA Champions League despite the club’s huge investment this season is understandable, the need to move forward remains.
“Are you disappointed with the fans? I’m not, I’m flexible,” Mbappe said. “They want to celebrate, they celebrate, they don’t want to celebrate, they don’t celebrate. They are disappointed, we understand them well but it will be a month before it happens.
“They wanted to send a message, the club understood that. They are the ones who decide, no one will tell them whether to celebrate or not. We have won, we are happy.”
Having scored 22 goals and 15 assists in 31 league games this season, Mbappe has secured the fifth Ligue 1 title to coincide with his 2018 World Cup winners in the team’s awards list.
Despite speculation as to whether the Frenchman will stay at PSG, as his contract expires at the end of the season, the ever-growing list of clubs and individual achievements has not been lost on him.
Finally, Mbappe said he and his teammates found solace in PSG’s living room, as fans celebrated outside the stadium.
“Maybe I will be left without a win. I enjoy the minute, my fifth title. I never thought I could win so fast. I enjoy it and I continue to work,” he said.
“We were very happy, we celebrated in the changing room. Yes the trophy was not at the big event but the public was there. I think people were happy to be there. Not because a few fans left.
“The stadium was full, thank you. After that, we wanted to get closer, get together among the players and celebrate in the changing room.”
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