Kylian Mbappe, and not Lionel Messi, has been named Paris Saint-Germain's vice-captain as the Argentine's time in Ligue 1 continues to come under question.
The public announcement of the decision comes as Messi reportedly considers a future away from the French capital.
PSG manager Christophe Galtier told media following the club's 7-0 win over sixth-tier Pays de Cassel on Monday night that it was a decision made prior to the season commencing.
Mbappe, who scored five in the PSG procession, was praised by Galtier as he explained the move.
'I decided that he is the second captain since the beginning of the season, he deserves to have this armband when Marquinhos is not there because he has decided to stay,' he said of Mbappe.
'He scored 56 goals in the calendar year. He is one of the world-class strikers, one of the best in the world. He's like that.
'He is formatted to score goals, he did not abuse, goals came naturally after combinations.'
Messi's future at the Parc des Princes has been a source of much discussion since the World Cup, with the Argentina captain reportedly weighing up several options, including the chance to join rival Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.
While Galtier claimed his decision was reached months ago, it seems to be news to former vice-captain and defender, Presnel Kimpembe.
The Frenchman took to Instagram, writing on his story: 'In the last few hours I have been able to hear and read a lot about myself.'
'I therefore wish to make things clear in order to avoid continuing to spread false information in this regard.
'I was not made aware of this decision, this is completely false... That said, I will always respect the decisions of the club.'
Brazilian defender Marquinhos continues to captain the French giants, who sit three points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
Kingval60
592
He has completed football even if he bench him all the time he is not looking anything else his career in football has completed
sheffayo
351
In fact, it's an insult to Messi to be a vice captain at PSG. My Messi doesn't care about being the captain or vice to anyone, he's a great guy and a great leader in the team
Joshwill1123
263
Breaking:Psg and Barcelona has agreed that today is Wednesday and tomorrow is Thursday leonel messi also accepted
Natanya
207
Why would Messi get it and why should he care? Give it to someone who has been there for a long time. He hasn't even signed his new contract yet. Messi is just playing now because he loves football, let him be.
KHMMURU07
107
Why does Messi fan Bois always loves to grumble on all things,with or without a captain tag or an armband he is an inspiration and a leader on and off pitch and mostly everyone in his dressing room respect him. . . . Giving him a Vice captain if seen as a disrespect then what's to Neymar? he has been at PSG far longer then him yet Messi was given which shows his importance stop bickering on all things
suzbdklst
47
Messi was never in conversation to be captain or vice captain of the team due to language barriers but Verratti or Kimpepe were always vice captain and befitting of that role 🤞💯 Mbappe to be made vice captain is due to contractual obligations which in fact they promised him to be captain but that couldn't happen because the coach felt will cause problems if they were strip Maquinhos of his captaincy... so the agreement behind the scenes was to make Mbappe vice captain this season but the announcement has to be made at the right time... hopefully for them Verratti and Kimpepe got injured and they are still out, meaning both vice captains are not available and the coach used this timing to do that 💯🤞 Messi has no interest in being PSG captain nor part of the leaderships 🤞