PSG benches outgoing Kylian Mbappe for Ligue 1 game once again

Paris Saint-Germain Sunday benched Kylian Mbappé for the Ligue 1 clash against Stade de Reims, an ongoing trend for the forward amid his looming exit from the club and potential move to Real Madrid.

The French superstar had been a mainstay for all games in Ligue 1 for PSG this season before he told the club of his intent to quit when his contract expires this summer.

Mbappé remains in talks with Madrid, who are hopeful about signing him, sources told ESPN. "Live without Mbappé," was what PSG manager Luis Enrique previously said and he has not played 90 minutes for PSG in Ligue 1 since February 2.

Mbappe was substituted early in their past two league matches, as well as making one appearance from off the bench and spending another as an unused substitute.

On March 2, ESPN reported 2 that he felt the substitutions were a penalty for quitting the club at the end of the season, and sources said the forward met with Luis Enrique at the club's training centre last weekend to address tension stemming from his decreasing minutes in Ligue 1.

Mbappé did play the entirety of both PSG's Champions League round-of-16 legs against Real Sociedad — the second of which came on Tuesday, which saw Mbappé score twice in a 2-1 away win.

He was quick to dispel reports of a feud with Luis Enrique after Tuesday's match, saying: "There is no problem with him even if people think there is a problem. I have problems, but the coach is not one of them."

However, Mbappé began PSG's clash with Reims on the bench.