Kylian Mbappe riled up the supporters of Stade Brest during Paris Saint-Germain’s 3-2 win there on Sunday – and then doubled down on social media to defend his actions.
The French captain scored to put his side 2-0 up at Stade Francis-Le Ble, but Brest pegged them back to 2-2. Mbappe saw an 89th minute penalty saved, but was in the right place to dispatch the rebound and put PSG ahead with his 250th career club goal.
Mbappe, 24, was booked for a gesture to the crowd during his goal celebration, and was immediately substituted off in favour of Nordi Mukiele.
Mbappe taunted the Brest supporters, geeing them up in reaction to their own anger, and making hand gestures signalling the 3-2 scoreline in favour of PSG.
French sports journalist Bertrand Latour wrote on X: ‘A captain of the French team should not do that.’
Kylian Mbappe riled up Stade Brest fans after scoring PSG’s winning goal on Sunday afternoon
A French sports journalist said he felt that the national captain should not act in this manner
The 24-year-old replied to defend himself, claiming Brest fans were throwing insults as well
Mbappe hit back, replying: ‘Well of course and I should have even sang with them when they insulted my team-mate.
‘Some have really never set foot on a football field regardless of the level….’
It was not immediately clear who was involved in the insult, or which team-mate was targeted by the offence.
Warren Zaire-Emery got the visitors off to a strong start with his right-footed strike into the corner after 16 minutes making it 1-0, 12 minutes before Mbappe doubled PSG’s advantage.
But Steve Mounie got a goal back for Brest two minutes before half-time with a downward header, and Jeremy Le Douaron got the equaliser in the 52nd minute.
There was to be late drama when Brest defender Lilian Brassier brought down substitute Randal Kolo Muani in the penalty area in the 85th minute, which was eventually awarded after a VAR check.
This led to a number of players on both sides being issued with bookings, as the incident threatened to overshadow a game with no yellow cards prior to the foul.
Mbappe made hand gestures in the direction of the home fans while being substituted
Brest suffered only their third league defeat of the season due to Mbappe’s late goal
Mbappe’s penalty was saved by Brest goalkepeer Marco Bizot, but the rebound fell to the French national team captain to convert on the rebound.
During his celebrations, Mbappe was cautioned for gesturing to the crowd, before being substituted off to a chorus of jeers.
Sixth-placed Brest, who suffered only their third league defeat of the campaign, will look to bounce back for next weekend’s trip to Monaco.
PSG’s late win keeps them second in the Ligue 1 table, a point behind league leaders Nice.
Luis Enrique’s side host Montpellier on Friday night, ahead of a Champions League trip to AC Milan the following Tuesday.