Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique appeared to confirm Kylian Mbappe's imminent departure from the club on Sunday, admitting his side must get used to playing without the star forward "sooner or later".
Mbappe has privately confirmed his intention to leave PSG as a free agent this summer and reports suggest he has already reached an agreement to join long-term admirers Real Madrid. He was dropped to the bench for last week's win over Nantes, after which Enrique insisted he had seen no change in Mbappe's attitude.
The sight of Mbappe on the bench against Nantes came as a huge surprise, as did Enrique's decision to withdraw the 25-year-old shortly after the hour mark in Sunday's game against Rennes. PSG were a goal down at the time and needed a 97th-minute penalty from his replacement, Goncalo Ramos, to salvage a 1-1 draw.
After the game, Enrique was asked about the unusual decision to substitute Mbappe while PSG were losing, and the boss appeared to confirm the French superstar is on his way out of the club.
"It must happen sooner or later, we must get used to playing without Kylian Mbappe," Enrique told the press.
Having also withdrawn fellow starters Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele at a similar time, Enrique added: "Let that be a message to everyone. I am very demanding of the players. If you think I'm going to accept a player slacking off on the pitch...no.
"I want you, when you're a starter, to want to enjoy your time on the pitch "
Real Madrid defender Lucas Vazquez was asked about Mbappe's future after Los Blancos' nervy 1-0 win over Sevilla.
"We hear a lot about what is happening in the press " Vazquez confessed with a huge smile on his face. "Obviously, we are not isolated and will see what happens. At the moment, he is a PSG player."