Kylian Mbappe is poised to miss Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 match against Lille on Saturday because the club does not want to risk his damaged ankle with a Champions League last-16 clash looming.
The PSG sensation sustained the injury during his team’s French Cup last-16 victory over Brest on Thursday, in which Mbappe scored the opening goal.
Initial medical examinations were apparently “reassuring,” but PSG coach Luis Enrique would not jeopardize his precious asset ahead of Real Sociedad’s Champions League visit five days later.
Further tests on the player, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid when his contract expires at the end of the season, are expected for Friday.
While Mbappe’s future remains unknown, so does PSG’s continued existence at their Parc des Princes home.
The club’s bid to buy the stadium from its owners, the Paris City Council, appears to have failed following a meeting on Thursday.
“It’s finished now, and we want to leave the Parc des Princes,” said the club’s Qatari president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
Lille, who are now fourth in the league, will provide Enrique’s team with a good test before next Thursday’s crucial European match.
Mbappe’s injury was caused by Brest defender Lilian Brassier, who was sent off after receiving his second yellow card and was then exposed to racist social media abuse.
Brest, who are currently third and will visit Clermont on Sunday, issued a statement strongly condemning the internet hatred directed at their player.
PSG, looking for their third consecutive domestic league title and 12th overall, is eight points ahead of Nice, which hosts south coast rivals Monaco.
Nice, controlled by Manchester United’s new partner Jim Ratcliffe of Ineos, defeated Montpellier 4-1 in the French Cup in midweek.
Marseille’s only game of 2024, against relegation-threatened Metz, provides the ideal opportunity to achieve their first win of the year.
Marseille are looking to rebound from last weekend’s setback to fallen powers Lyon, who are away to Montpellier.
A win would calm anxieties in Marseille, where multiple crisis talks have taken place as the club has dropped to eighth.