Footage has emerged of an irate Luis Enrique slamming Kylian Mbappe during a technical meeting prior to the Frenchman’s departure from PSG.
After arriving at the Parc des Princes in July 2023, former Barcelona and Spain boss Enrique was tasked with guiding Les Parisiens through a transitional period.
Both Lionel Messi and Neymar had departed the club to Inter Miami and Al Hilal respectively and the club had been rocked by historic allegations of harassment and discrimination against outgoing coach Christophe Galtier.
Mbappe would ultimately follow his fellow superstars out of PSG and it’s fair to say the departure was acrimonious for all parties.
Reports suggested Mbappe had endured a strained relationship during his final season in Ligue 1 and a clip from a new Movistar documentary captured of a tense moment between the pair.
Luis Enrique berated Kylian Mbappe prior to PSG’s second-leg against Barcelona in a newly-released clip
The pair shared an at-times strained relationship during Mbappe’s final season in Ligue 1
Les Parisiens suffered a 3-2 defeat against Barcelona in the first-leg of the Champions League quarter-final
‘I read that you liked Michael Jordan.’ Enrique can be seen saying to Mbappe ahead of their Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona.
‘Michael Jordan would grab his team-mates by the balls and defend like a madman. You have to set that example first as a person and as a player.
‘If you’re going to press, you’ll have [Pau] Cubarsi. You’ll be the one covering Cubarsi against Cubaris and [Marc-Andre] ter Stegen.
‘And you’ll spend the whole match pressing Cubarsi so he doesn’t advance and pressing Ter Stegen so he plays quickly, and getting back fast.
‘Why? To be a leader. Because you think you have to score the goals for us.’
Despite the tense atmosphere Enrique did give the 25-year-old credit for his ability but insisted he needed to work harder for his team-mates.
He continued: ‘You’re a phenomenon, a world-class player. Not a doubt.
‘But that’s not enough for me. A true leader is someone who, when you can’t help us with goals, because the other day you had two high-level players against you, you help us in everything that matters.’
Enrique added that Mbappe needed to give his all to ensure he departed the club without having any regrets.
‘That’s what I want you to do. As a leader here. The two games you have left. I want you to leave through the big door. Without any regrets.
But they came back to win the subsequent clash 4-1 courtesy of a double from Mbappe before being knocked out in the semis
‘But you have to win it. Not attacking. You’re a great attacker. You attack like crazy. I know that.
‘But the day you cannot attack, you need to be the greatest defending player of all time. That’s a leader. That’s Michael Jordan.’
Enrique’s words of encouragement clearly left an impression on Mbappe as he netted twice to seal a 4-1 victory against the Catalan club before they were dumped out in the semi-finals by Borussia Dortmund.