Kylian Mbappe’s impending departure from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming clash between the French giants and their bitter rivals, Marseille. The match, scheduled for Sunday at the iconic Velodrome stadium, marks Mbappe’s final taste of the intense rivalry before his expected move to Real Madrid at the end of the season.
PSG’s dominance over Marseille has been undeniable since the Qatari takeover in 2011. The Parisians boast a 12-point lead at the top of the table, making Mbappe’s sixth league title in seven seasons with the club a near certainty. Marseille, on the other hand, languish in seventh place, despite a recent resurgence under new coach Jean-Louis Gasset.
Mbappe’s decision to leave PSG has been met with mixed reactions. While some fans are disappointed to see him go, others believe it’s time for him to seek a new challenge. The 25-year-old has already hinted that he intends to join Real Madrid, a move that would reunite him with his former teammate, Karim Benzema.
Despite his impending departure, Mbappe remains a key figure for PSG. He has rediscovered his best form in recent weeks, scoring a hat-trick in a 6-2 win over Montpellier. His 38 goals in 37 appearances this season have been instrumental in PSG’s success.
Marseille will be hoping to spoil Mbappe’s farewell party and claim a rare victory over their arch-rivals. However, they face an uphill battle against a PSG side that is in imperious form. Luis Enrique’s team is undefeated in 24 matches since early November and will be confident of extending that run.
The match will also be a test of character for Mbappe. He was jeered by sections of the crowd during France’s friendly win over Chile at the Velodrome earlier this week. The PSG star admitted that he would understand if he were booed again on Sunday, but he vowed to remain focused on the game.
