Unlike nearly everyone else connected with Paris Saint-Germain, Kylian Mbappe was in good spirits during Saturday's Ligue 1 clash with Lorient. While those seated around him at Parc des Princes were bitterly frustrated watching the champions try - and fail - to break down the team that finished 10th last season, Mbappe was spotted several times laughing and joking with new PSG signing Ousmane Dembele. And why not? The game did nothing other than prove just how important he is to PSG.
The day before, Luis Enrique had stated that he was still hoping to see an amicable resolution to Mbappe's contract stand-off with Nasser Al-Khelaifi & Co - but the new coach pointedly added: "The philosophy of this club is very clear: that the club is above everything and I share it 100 percent."
Undoubtedly admirable and heartfelt sentiments on the part of Luis Enrique - but simply not applicable in this case. The events of the last few days have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that Kylian Mbappe is bigger than Paris Saint-Germain. Right now, in fact, he's probably the most powerful player in the world.