Emmanuel Petit tells Kylian Mbappe to ‘grow up’ and says the PSG striker ‘annoys everybody’

Former France star Emmanuel Petit has criticised Kylian Mbappe, saying that the Paris Saint-Germain ‘annoys everyone’.

Mbappe was critical of coach Christophe Galtier’s tactics following PSG’s goalless draw against Reims last weekend. 

The 23-year-old posted an Instagram story that included a picture of himself in action accompanied by ‘#pivotgang’ in a dig at the way in which Galtier had used him. 

Former France star Petit stressed that Mbappe ‘annoys everyone’ with his actions

There has also been tension between Mbappe and team-mate Neymar this season, with Petit stating that Mbappe’s behaviour is ‘unacceptable’ and that he ‘annoys everyone’. 

Petit told RMC Sport: ‘He annoys everyone today. He makes it personal all the time. He even puts himself above the institution. Has everything that has happened in recent months gone to his head? 

‘You were on the right side when you arrived at PSG, then you were on the left. Now you are in the centre. But it’s never fixed on the pitch. The players up front spend their time moving around and switching in their respective area.

‘The club is more important than any one player. Today, Mbappe’s statements are irrelevant and show a lack of respect for the institution, but also for his partners. Because by saying that, he is targeting his coach but also certain players. I find that regrettable.’ 

Mbappe used the hashtag ‘#pivotgang’ in an Instagram post which was quickly deleted

Paris Saint-Germain boss Christophe Galtier has played down criticism from Mbappe

Galtier attempted to play down Mbappe’s reaction to his tactics, saying that it was a reaction in the heat of the moment.

Galtier said: ‘It was a reaction in the heat of the moment, after a moment of disappointment.

‘I spoke a lot with Kylian at the start of the season and I was very attentive to his comments when he was playing for France, saying that he felt better in Les Bleus’ attacking set-up.

‘Across pre-season we spoke with [football advisor] Luís Campos and the president [Nasser Al-Khelaifi] to get a fourth striker, with a different profile, who would allow for two strikers and for Kylian to play as much as possible in his preferred area.

‘Kylian sometimes finds himself in the middle and he gets the impression that he’s a pivot. But he’s a smart player who’s capable of adapting.’

Mbappe has endured a difficult relationship with his PSG team-mate Neymar this season

Mbappe and Neymar clashed over a penalty during PSG’s 5-2 win against Montpellier in August. 

After Mbappe had missed a penalty earlier in the game, Neymar and Mbappe argued over who should take PSG’s second spot-kick.

Neymar eventually stepped up to take it and scored, but Mbappe didn’t celebrate with his team-mate. Subsequently, Neymar liked a series of tweets criticising Mbappe.

Following that Mbappe refused to pass to Neymar against Juventus, with the Frenchman electing to shoot but missing the target. 

Leandro Paredes, who joined Juventus on loan from PSG in August, revealed that he didn’t have a connection with Mbappe.  

‘I am not the one to talk about him,’ Paredes told ESPN Argentina when quizzed on his relationship with Mbappe. ‘I had a connection with the ones I had a relationship with. But the ones I didn’t have a relationship with, I can’t tell you about them.’