Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe will miss Saturday's Ligue 1 encounter against Lille due to an ankle injury, raising concerns over his availability for the crucial Champions League clash against Real Sociedad next week.

Mbappe sustained the injury during PSG's French Cup victory over Brest on Thursday, despite managing to score the opening goal. While initial tests were positive, manager Luis Enrique is unwilling to risk aggravating the injury before the important European fixture. Further tests are scheduled for Friday to determine the severity and recovery timeline.

Mbappe's absence adds another layer of uncertainty to PSG's future, both on and off the pitch. His contract expires at the end of the season, and rumors of a move to Real Madrid persist. Additionally, the club's bid to purchase their home stadium, Parc des Princes, from the Paris City Council was rejected, prompting President Nasser Al-Khelaifi to declare their intention to leave the venue.

Despite the off-field distractions, PSG remain comfortably atop the Ligue 1 table, eight points clear of Nice. Their opponents this weekend, Lille, currently sit fourth and are expected to provide a strong challenge before PSG's European encounter.

Meanwhile, the incident surrounding Mbappe's injury has taken a negative turn. Brest defender Lilian Brassier, who was sent off for the challenge and subsequently received racist abuse online, has been defended by his club, who issued a statement condemning the attacks.

Elsewhere in Ligue 1, Nice, recently acquired by Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos group, will look to maintain their momentum after their impressive French Cup win when they host Monaco. Marseille, winless in 2024, have a chance to turn things around against struggling Metz, while Lyon seek redemption after their defeat to Marseille against Montpellier.

With Mbappe sidelined and crucial matches on the horizon, PSG face a challenging period both on and off the pitch. The next few days will be crucial in determining the extent of Mbappe's injury and the club's future direction.