Kylian Mbappe joyfully celebrated his first goal of the season with Paris Saint Germain following speculations surrounding his future at the club.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner came on as a substitute for PSG timely in the second half of Saturday’s Ligue 1 matchup against Toulouse after being returned to the first team following a contract controversy.
What happened to Kylian Mbappe?
The former AS Monaco forward had not been representing the French club throughout their pre-season friendly matches and also misses the season opener against Lorient where PSG played a 0-0 draw last weekend.
He was also not invited to the preseason tour in Japan and South Korea, Mbappe was forced to train alongside players the team was attempting to dump after he refused to sign a contract extension with PSG.
The 24-year-old’s contract is set to expire next summer and he might depart the French powerhouse for free, but on Sunday, 13th of August, the club welcomed him back to the team after he had positive conversations with the club President Nasir Al Khilafi.
Kylian Mbappe made the transfer U-turn two days before Neymar was set to be sold to Saudi Arabia club Al Hilal for a sum rumored to be close to 100 million euros.
When Neymar was highly rumored to be returning to Spain in the summer of 2022, French media said that Mbappe made the Brazilian departure one of the requirements for him to sign a new deal with PSG.
Toulouse vs Paris Saint Germain in brief
The France captain, who started the match on the bench, was subbed into the match in the 51st minute and quickly put the game to bed by drawing a foul from Rasmus Nicolaisen and converting the ensuing penalty kick just beyond the hour mark.
Zakaria Aboukhlal equalized with a penalty after being pulled back by Morocco teammate Achraf Hakimi three minutes from the stoppage time, leaving Luis Enrique still looking for his first victory as PSG coach.
PSG was again restricted in the first half after having few quality chances against Toulouse. Goncalo Ramos was denied by a quick reaction save, while Hakimi was stopped by the legs of the home team defender.
Mikkel Desler curled a shot just wide of the target for Toulouse before Toulouse’s teenager Warren Zaire-Emery’s goal was disallowed for offside shortly after the half.
Mbappe’s foot was caught by Nicolaisen’s trailing leg, and after a VAR review, the PSG striker was given a penalty and scored the game’s first goal.
When Dembele clipped the ball through for Vitinha, the Portuguese midfielder lifted above the approaching Restes, but his shot only narrowly missed the goalpost.
Hakimi was penalized for needlessly obstructing Aboukhlal as he chased the ball on the edge of the box, PSG’s failure to score a second goal proved costly.
Aboukhlal, who also scored in last week’s 2-1 victory against Nantes, out-dueled Gianluigi Donnarumma to earn the hosts a crucial point.
What’s next for Kylain Mbappe and PSG?
Hopefully, the 24-year-old French International will be added to PSG’s starting XI squad that will face Lens on Saturday, 26th of August, 2023.
