Kylian Mbappe watches PSG from stands following half time substitution

   

Kylian Mbappe watched the second half of PSG's game against former side Monaco from the stands after being substituted at half time.

The forward is set to leave the French side in the summer on a free transfer, joining Real Madrid after seven years of a love-hate relationship with his current team.

After signing a new contract at the end of the 2021-22 season, Mbappe had regularly voiced his frustration at a number of goings on at the club, and had been begged not to leave for free by club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

That will almost certainly be the case in the summer, however, and Mbappe left his current team-mates behind with the Ligue 1 game, with the score at 0-0 at the interval.

It wasn't the first time the 25-year-old has been substituted early under Luis Enrique, with the former World Cup winner taken off after 65 minutes in the draw with Rennes last week.

Kylian Mbappe watched the second half of PSG's draw with former side Monaco from the stands

Kylian Mbappe watched the second half of PSG's draw with former side Monaco from the stands

The forward was taken off at half time, substituted early for the second time in as many games

The forward was taken off at half time, substituted early for the second time in as many games

Mbappe, who is set to leave PSG in the summer, was seen on the phone in the tunnel at the start of the second period

Mbappe, who is set to leave PSG in the summer, was seen on the phone in the tunnel at the start of the second period

Mbappe emerged from the dressing room having changed out of his kit following the substitution on Friday evening.

He was wearing all black, including a cap, and was followed by photographers as he stopped to speak to the fans in attendance, even posing for a selfie.

The game finished 0-0 in what was a fairly even game in terms of chances despite the visitors dominating possession.

Mbappe went to sit in the stands with his entourage - including his mother - and could be seen in the tunnel on the phone at the start of the second half. He had gone down injured in the 27th minute of the game but played the rest of the first period.

Speaking on the substitution, Enrique said: 'I have been in football for quite a long time, you must know that everything is important in this kind of club. Sooner or later we will play without Mbappe, we have to get used to that.'

He made his way up to the stands in changed clothes as his side could pick up only a point

He made his way up to the stands in changed clothes as his side could pick up only a point

PSG manager Luis Enrique has argued that PSG will have a better side next season in Mbappe's absence

PSG manager Luis Enrique has argued that PSG will have a better side next season in Mbappe's absence

Enrique had hinted before the game that PSG would be a better side without Mbappe next year as they look to finally put the long-running distraction around his future behind them.

'I know that if everything goes well, next season, we will have a better team from all perspectives,' Enrique said. 'Offensively, defensively, tactically. I have no doubt about it.'