The first time Kylian Ambapa arrived at Borussia Dortmund Stadium, it ended in a duo who set him a prestigious watch and victory with Monaco.

• Ambapa. Stretches boundaries, but calculates every step

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  AFP

Killian Ambapa was 17 when he first arrived at Borussia Dortmund's Signal Idona Park. It happened in April 2017, in the Champions League quarterfinals and when he was a Monaco player, and included a deal that was hard to turn down.

"If you score a pair here, I will buy you a new Rolex watch," left-hander Benjamin Mandy assured him, whose offer replied indifferently: "No problem." In the 19th minute he captured the first, in the 79th the second, Monaco won 2: 3 and the boy completed a first European duo in his career. "Well done, we now have a head start for the reciprocal," Mandy mumbled, but Ambapa was adamant. "I want the watch," he said, "now."

Tonight, Ambapa will once again reach the "crime scene", this time in the eighth final. He replaced Monaco with PSG, upgraded to a world champion and one of the game's great superstars, and is asked what he wants now? A new watch is certainly not necessary, but apparently the impression is that Imbapa is unhappy.

It may be that Neymar's return to the front is burdensome to him, perhaps these are new salary and contract matters, but the star of France's champion is nervous and he is not trying to hide it. On the contrary, he sometimes seems to be trying to make that point, as happened in the match against Montpellier two weeks ago. The minute was 68 and the score was 0: 5 when Thomas Tuchel took out Ambapa, who had already conquered, to rest in the games load and prepare for the encounter with Dortmund tonight. Despite goodwill, Ambapa responded badly. He confronted the German on the long minutes, expressed dissatisfaction, and furiously left the bench. Then he ignored the media and fans, turned a mouse into an elephant and lit the speculation lights.

Tuchel tried to lower the fire, claiming he was not angry even though "such cases do not look good and may be distracting," but the media was already deep into the operation. Ambapa was set to be spoiled and brash, but also a first-rate tactician trying to work his way out in acts.

This is not the first time the star has done so - even in the previous round against Montpellier he was replaced in the 90th minute and on his way to the bench ignored his coach. So it's true that the actor who doesn't like to be replaced has yet to be born, but Ambapa has hinted more than once that he's considering his future.

In the summer, when he was the first player of the season and also the youngest player in France, he used the ceremony stage to declare: "I have reached a turning point in my career and I feel it is time to accept more responsibility.
Tuchel, who understood what was said between the lines, responded: "He knows what he is doing."

All options on the table

Now to the big question: Does Ambapa do what he does on purpose? Is he causing problems to move to another destination, when in Real Madrid? Hard to know.

Unlike other troubled players, and not missing ones, the 21-year-old Frenchman is a good boy and behaves as such. He is smiling and courteous, and mostly makes the impression that he thinks of others as much as he thinks of himself.

A project launched last month called "CA Inspired" teaches a little about the man and his work. In his mother's proposal, Ambapa took 98 children from Paris, aged 9-14, under his care and promised to help them fulfill their dream. "We will accompany them until they reach the job market," he explained with a respectful and moving ceremony. This initiative joins $ 250,000 in donations from the World Cup winning money, $ 60,000 to benefit Emiliano Sala’s plane search, support for Australian casualties as a result of the woods fire and more.

The dissonance between the rebellious Ambapa and the human Ambapa is so difficult to understand the situation. On the one hand it is quite clear that he loves PSG and is connected to the city where he was born, but on the other hand he is obviously aware of his greatness and that it will be difficult for him to make a legacy in the French league.

In such a situation, one can only conclude that Ambapa is considering the options. He stretches boundaries, looks at where the wind is blowing, and calculates his steps. Recently, he appointed himself a new and prestigious attorney, ready for any situation. At the same time, in the wake of reports of interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool, such a new deal emerges on a new contract that PSJ will offer and includes an annual salary of 51 million euros. Tonight, in front of Borussia Dortmund, Killian Ambapa plays on a lot more than a clock.