Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe scores the opening goal in the Champions League against Benfica, at the Parc des Princes Stadium, on October 11, 2022. AFP
Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe scores the opening goal in the Champions League against Benfica, at the Parc des Princes Stadium, on October 11, 2022. AFP
Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring. AFP
Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring. AFP
Kylian Mbappe celebrates with teammates. AFP
Kylian Mbappe celebrates with teammates. AFP
Benfica's Joao Mario levels at 1-1 from the penalty spot. Reuters
Benfica's Joao Mario levels at 1-1 from the penalty spot. Reuters

Sport

Football

PSG boss Galtier 'surprised' by timing of reports Mbappe wants to leave club

Reports that the French striker would leave the club in January emerged hours before Tuesday's Champions League draw with Benfica

The National

October 12, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier has downplayed reports that rumours over the future of star striker Kylian Mbappe caused disruption to the team's preparations ahead of Tuesday's Champions League match with Benfica.

A 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes - in which Mbappe scored from the penalty spot - was the third successive match PSG have shared the points with their opponents and keeps them top of Group H on eight points, ahead of their Portuguese rivals.

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It came after various media reports in Spain and France earlier in the day suggested Mbappe would seek to leave PSG in January, despite penning a new three-year contract in the summer.

"I know nothing," Galtier said when asked about the reports following Tuesday's game.

"All I know is that a rumour became a story and then that almost became a declaration."

He added: "I didn't see anything unusual in Kylian's preparation for the game, and he played with a lot of rhythm and intensity and gave a response to the rumours.

"We remained focused on the match and I don't think the rumour disrupted our preparations."

Mbappe's goal was his 12th of the season but he is reportedly unhappy at his positioning in the PSG team amid relentless speculation of a rift between the French striker and Brazilian teammate Neymar.

PSG v Benfica ratings

PSG PLAYER RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma 5 – Had very little to do until he received a pass from Marquinhos when under pressure. He panicked, and ended up kicking the ball needlessly out of play. In the second half, Grimaldo’s speculative effort almost caught him out, while he could do little about Mario’s convincing penalty. Shaky performance. AFP
PSG PLAYER RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma 5 – Had very little to do until he received a pass from Marquinhos when under pressure. He panicked, and ended up kicking the ball needlessly out of play. In the second half, Grimaldo’s speculative effort almost caught him out, while he could do little about Mario’s convincing penalty. Shaky performance. AFP
Achraf Hakimi 5 – A quiet night for Hakimi, who found attacking space hard to come by, and who had to deal with a lively Grimaldo. Lucky not to give away a penalty when a deep cross caught the top of his arm, preventing Mario from a shot at goal. Reuters
Achraf Hakimi 5 – A quiet night for Hakimi, who found attacking space hard to come by, and who had to deal with a lively Grimaldo. Lucky not to give away a penalty when a deep cross caught the top of his arm, preventing Mario from a shot at goal. Reuters
Sergio Ramos 5 – Efficient winning the ball back and playing the simple pass. He thought he teed up Mbappe for the winner, but the forward’s late goal was disallowed for offside. AFP
Sergio Ramos 5 – Efficient winning the ball back and playing the simple pass. He thought he teed up Mbappe for the winner, but the forward’s late goal was disallowed for offside. AFP
Marquinhos 7 – On hand to tidy up when needed. He made a crucial intervention to block Draxler in the closing stages. AFP
Marquinhos 7 – On hand to tidy up when needed. He made a crucial intervention to block Draxler in the closing stages. AFP
Danilo 6 – Another solid, if not spectacular outing for the defender. Formed a steely barrier to thwart Benfica’s movement. Reuters
Danilo 6 – Another solid, if not spectacular outing for the defender. Formed a steely barrier to thwart Benfica’s movement. Reuters
Juan Bernat 5 – A disappointing night for Bernat, though it was from his run into the box that PSG earned the penalty that gave them the lead; the Spaniard crocked by Silva. AFP
Juan Bernat 5 – A disappointing night for Bernat, though it was from his run into the box that PSG earned the penalty that gave them the lead; the Spaniard crocked by Silva. AFP
Vitinha 6 – One of PSG’s more effective midfielders on an evening where they found it difficult finding a way through Benfica’s formation. AFP
Vitinha 6 – One of PSG’s more effective midfielders on an evening where they found it difficult finding a way through Benfica’s formation. AFP
Marco Verratti 5 – Effective at keeping the ball moving in the first half, he was punished in the second when his boot caught Silva. It was his first penalty conceded in European action for the French side. AFP
Marco Verratti 5 – Effective at keeping the ball moving in the first half, he was punished in the second when his boot caught Silva. It was his first penalty conceded in European action for the French side. AFP
Neymar 5 – In a game of few chances for the Brazilian, he headed over in a move that had already been pulled back for offside. He came to life just before the break, flicking the ball over Luis before being stopped in his tracks by Bah. Was on the receiving end of several hard challenges. AFP
Neymar 5 – In a game of few chances for the Brazilian, he headed over in a move that had already been pulled back for offside. He came to life just before the break, flicking the ball over Luis before being stopped in his tracks by Bah. Was on the receiving end of several hard challenges. AFP
Pablo Sarabia 4 – Had one shot on goal in the first half but it was lacking in power, and posed no problems for Vlachodimos. A poor evening from Lionel Messi’s replacement. AFP
Pablo Sarabia 4 – Had one shot on goal in the first half but it was lacking in power, and posed no problems for Vlachodimos. A poor evening from Lionel Messi’s replacement. AFP
Kylian Mbappe 7 – Looked a danger when running at the Benfica defence from the left. He gave the home side the lead from the penalty spot after Bernat was upended in the box, and in doing so became PSG’s highest ever scorer in the Champions League, with 30 goals. Came close to a second after the break but his effort went agonisingly wide of the post, and then saw a late volley ruled out for offside. AFP
Kylian Mbappe 7 – Looked a danger when running at the Benfica defence from the left. He gave the home side the lead from the penalty spot after Bernat was upended in the box, and in doing so became PSG’s highest ever scorer in the Champions League, with 30 goals. Came close to a second after the break but his effort went agonisingly wide of the post, and then saw a late volley ruled out for offside. AFP
SUBS: Hugo Ekitike (Sarabia 72') N/A – Had a few touches on the ball until Mukiele entered the field, at which point they seemed to cancel each other out. AP
SUBS: Hugo Ekitike (Sarabia 72') N/A – Had a few touches on the ball until Mukiele entered the field, at which point they seemed to cancel each other out. AP
Nordi Mukiele (Bernat 85’) N/A – Unable to unlock the visitors’ defence in his five-minute cameo. AFP
Nordi Mukiele (Bernat 85’) N/A – Unable to unlock the visitors’ defence in his five-minute cameo. AFP
Fabian Ruiz (Vitinha 86’) N/A – Had little time to impress. Perhaps surprising that he wasn’t introduced earlier. AFP
Fabian Ruiz (Vitinha 86’) N/A – Had little time to impress. Perhaps surprising that he wasn’t introduced earlier. AFP
Carlos Soler (Mbappe 90’) N/A – A late arrival, but did little to suggest he has what it takes to oust any of the starting XI. AFP
Carlos Soler (Mbappe 90’) N/A – A late arrival, but did little to suggest he has what it takes to oust any of the starting XI. AFP
BENFICA PLAYER RATINGS: Odysseas Vlachodimos 5 – There was little he could do about the penalty, but he saved well from Mbappe at his near post on the stroke of half-time to keep his side in the game. Getty
BENFICA PLAYER RATINGS: Odysseas Vlachodimos 5 – There was little he could do about the penalty, but he saved well from Mbappe at his near post on the stroke of half-time to keep his side in the game. Getty
Alexander Bah 4 – Tidy on the ball, but he had his hands full with Mbappe when the Frenchman pulled wide to the left. The Dane was arguably lucky to escape a card given some of his challenges. AFP
Alexander Bah 4 – Tidy on the ball, but he had his hands full with Mbappe when the Frenchman pulled wide to the left. The Dane was arguably lucky to escape a card given some of his challenges. AFP
Antonio Silva 6 – Contained the home side’s attacking trio well until he lost his head when committing to a rash tackle to floor Bernat and gift PSG a penalty. Beyond than, it was another impressive performance from the youngster. EPA
Antonio Silva 6 – Contained the home side’s attacking trio well until he lost his head when committing to a rash tackle to floor Bernat and gift PSG a penalty. Beyond than, it was another impressive performance from the youngster. EPA
Nicolas Otamendi 7 – Did well to contain the front three given he received a yellow card as early as the 21st minute. Kept his cool throughout. EPA
Nicolas Otamendi 7 – Did well to contain the front three given he received a yellow card as early as the 21st minute. Kept his cool throughout. EPA
Alex Grimaldo 6 – Neat and tidy with the ball at his feet, he took a kick to the head when stopping low to head clear from Sarabia. He troubled Donnarumma momentarily when his speculative effort from the left side of the area almost caught out the Italian. AFP
Alex Grimaldo 6 – Neat and tidy with the ball at his feet, he took a kick to the head when stopping low to head clear from Sarabia. He troubled Donnarumma momentarily when his speculative effort from the left side of the area almost caught out the Italian. AFP
Florentino Luis 7 – Made a brilliantly timed challenge to deny Mbappe in the second half after the Frenchman had turned on the afterburners and cut into the visitors’ box. Also did his part for the team by covering Silva when needed. AFP
Florentino Luis 7 – Made a brilliantly timed challenge to deny Mbappe in the second half after the Frenchman had turned on the afterburners and cut into the visitors’ box. Also did his part for the team by covering Silva when needed. AFP
Enzo Fernandez 6 – Received a yellow card in the second half for a late challenge on Neymar, before fouling the Brazilian twice in succession shortly afterwards. Was lucky not to see red from referee Michael Oliver. AFP
Enzo Fernandez 6 – Received a yellow card in the second half for a late challenge on Neymar, before fouling the Brazilian twice in succession shortly afterwards. Was lucky not to see red from referee Michael Oliver. AFP
Joao Mario 6 – Got frustrated in the first half and lashed out at Verratti to give away a needless free-kick. After the break, he delivered a cross that Ramos almost converted before levelling from the spot to draw the scores level. AFP
Joao Mario 6 – Got frustrated in the first half and lashed out at Verratti to give away a needless free-kick. After the break, he delivered a cross that Ramos almost converted before levelling from the spot to draw the scores level. AFP
Rafa Silva 6 – Found himself with a yard to shoot following a neat lay off from Aursnes, but he leaned back and blazed over. He was later caught by Verratti in the box in a challenge that led to Benfica’s equaliser. AFP
Rafa Silva 6 – Found himself with a yard to shoot following a neat lay off from Aursnes, but he leaned back and blazed over. He was later caught by Verratti in the box in a challenge that led to Benfica’s equaliser. AFP
Fredrik Aursnes 7 – A nuisance in the fast half, finding pockets of space in the PSG area. Did well to cause havoc between the lines. AFP
Fredrik Aursnes 7 – A nuisance in the fast half, finding pockets of space in the PSG area. Did well to cause havoc between the lines. AFP
Goncalo Ramos 6 – Found opportunities at a premium, but he came close with a header following Mario’s cross. His glanced effort finished just wide of the post. AFP
Goncalo Ramos 6 – Found opportunities at a premium, but he came close with a header following Mario’s cross. His glanced effort finished just wide of the post. AFP
SUBS: Gilberto (Bah 63') 5 – His biggest contribution was a headed clearance that also saw him clean out Sergio Ramos at the same time. AFP
SUBS: Gilberto (Bah 63') 5 – His biggest contribution was a headed clearance that also saw him clean out Sergio Ramos at the same time. AFP
Rodrigo Pinho (Ramos 78') N/A – Not quite the presence in attack Benfica needed against PSG’s disciplined defence. EPA
Rodrigo Pinho (Ramos 78') N/A – Not quite the presence in attack Benfica needed against PSG’s disciplined defence. EPA
Julian Draxler (Silva 78') N/A – The German returned to his former club and came close with a late effort that was blocked expertly by Marquinhos. EPA
Julian Draxler (Silva 78') N/A – The German returned to his former club and came close with a late effort that was blocked expertly by Marquinhos. EPA
Diogo Goncalves (Luis, 78) N/A – Benfica were weakened by Luis’ departure, but Goncalves ensured Benfica remained hard to break down / Chiquinho (Mario, 90) N/A – A late change as the visitors doubled down for the point. EPA
Diogo Goncalves (Luis, 78) N/A – Benfica were weakened by Luis’ departure, but Goncalves ensured Benfica remained hard to break down / Chiquinho (Mario, 90) N/A – A late change as the visitors doubled down for the point. EPA

Mbappe, 23, had been expected to move to Real Madrid at the end of the last campaign before opting to stay in Paris with the club he first joined from Monaco in 2017.

Galtier questioned the motivation behind the reports coming out when they did, with PSG – minus the injured Lionel Messi – missing the chance to secure qualification for the Champions League last 16 with two group games to spare following the draw.

"That this rumour should emerge just four or five hours before this game, I am entitled to be surprised," he said.

"Who does this rumour help? Who is it useful to? Not us."

PSG salaries 2022/23

Paris Saint Germain's Kylian Mbappe is the club's top earner, according to capology.com, with a weekly salary of €1,748,269, or €90,910,000 a year. EPA
Paris Saint Germain's Kylian Mbappe is the club's top earner, according to capology.com, with a weekly salary of €1,748,269, or €90,910,000 a year. EPA
Lionel Messi, €1,223,846 a week. AFP
Lionel Messi, €1,223,846 a week. AFP
Brazilian forward Neymar, €1,083,846 a week. AFP
Brazilian forward Neymar, €1,083,846 a week. AFP
Sergio Ramos, €524,423 a week. AFP
Sergio Ramos, €524,423 a week. AFP
Gianluigi Donnarumma, €349,615 a week. AFP
Gianluigi Donnarumma, €349,615 a week. AFP
Presnel Kimpembe, €349,615 a week. AP
Presnel Kimpembe, €349,615 a week. AP
Keylor Navas, €314,615 a week. AFP
Keylor Navas, €314,615 a week. AFP
Achraf Hakimi, €279,808 a week. AP
Achraf Hakimi, €279,808 a week. AP
Marquinhos, €276,923 a week. Reuters
Marquinhos, €276,923 a week. Reuters
Marco Verratti , €276,923 a week. AFP
Marco Verratti , €276,923 a week. AFP
Mauro Icardi, €209,808 a week. AFP
Mauro Icardi, €209,808 a week. AFP
Fabian Ruiz, €174,808 a week. AFP
Fabian Ruiz, €174,808 a week. AFP
Renato Sanches, €174,808 a week. AFP
Renato Sanches, €174,808 a week. AFP
Juan Bernat, €161,538 a week, AFP
Juan Bernat, €161,538 a week, AFP
Pablo Sarabia, €103,846 a week. AFP
Pablo Sarabia, €103,846 a week. AFP
Sergio Rico, €39,423 a week. Getty
Sergio Rico, €39,423 a week. Getty
Danilo Pereira, €30,192 a week. AFP
Danilo Pereira, €30,192 a week. AFP
El Chadaille Bitshiabu, €10,192 a week. Getty
El Chadaille Bitshiabu, €10,192 a week. Getty
Nuno Mendes, €7,692 a week. AFP
Nuno Mendes, €7,692 a week. AFP
Teddy Alloh, €7,500 a week. AFP
Teddy Alloh, €7,500 a week. AFP
Timothee Pembele, €6,154 a week. AFP
Timothee Pembele, €6,154 a week. AFP
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Greatest Royal Rumble match listing

50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias

Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match

WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura

Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe

United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal

SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos

Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt

Casket match The Undertaker v Rusev

Singles match John Cena v Triple H

Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v Kalisto

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
While you're here...
While you're here
While you're here
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
While you're here
On Women's Day
City's slump

L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Squid Game season two

Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk 

Stars:  Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun

Rating: 4.5/5

While you're here
The biog

Nickname: Mama Nadia to children, staff and parents

Education: Bachelors degree in English Literature with Social work from UAE University

As a child: Kept sweets on the window sill for workers, set aside money to pay for education of needy families

Holidays: Spends most of her days off at Senses often with her family who describe the centre as part of their life too

Brief scores:

Toss: Sindhis, elected to field first

Kerala Knights 103-7 (10 ov)

Parnell 59 not out; Tambe 5-15

Sindhis 104-1 (7.4 ov)

Watson 50 not out, Devcich 49

Nick's journey in numbers

Countries so far: 85

Flights: 149

Steps: 3.78 million

Calories: 220,000

Floors climbed: 2,000

Donations: GPB37,300

Prostate checks: 5

Blisters: 15

Bumps on the head: 2

Dog bites: 1

In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
  • Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000 
  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000 
  • HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 
  • Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000 
  • Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000 
  • Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000 
  • Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000 
  • Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
  • Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
  • Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
On Women's Day
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company profile

Date started: January, 2014

Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe

Based: Dubai

Sector: Education technology

Size: Five employees

Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.

Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)

THE APPRENTICE

Director: Ali Abbasi

Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong

Rating: 3/5

MATCH INFO

 

Maratha Arabians 107-8 (10 ovs)

Lyth 21, Lynn 20, McClenaghan 20 no

Qalandars 60-4 (10 ovs)

Malan 32 no, McClenaghan 2-9

Maratha Arabians win by 47 runs

UAE currency
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS

1.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winners: Hyde Park, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)

2.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard

2.45pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

3.15pm: Shadwell Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 (TB) Dh575,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Blown by Wind, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer

3.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh72,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

4.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh64,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: Obeyaan, Adrie de Vries, Mujeeb Rehman

4.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

While you're here
If you go

The flights

There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.

The trip

Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.

The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.

 

Updated: October 12, 2022, 6:52 AM`
Paris Saint-GermainChampions LeagueKylian Mbappe