Kylian Mbappé's Journey at Paris Saint-Germain: A Tale of Trophies and Champions League Aspirations
In 2017, a young Kylian Mbappé joined Paris Saint-Germain with high expectations, hailed as one of the most promising talents in the world. As he racks up trophies, the elusive Champions League title remains a missing piece. Has Mbappé's time at PSG been a success despite this challenge?
Kylian Mbappé joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 as a young 19-year-old, known for being the second most expensive footballer in history and hailed as the most promising young player in the world by club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi at the time.
He was tasked with helping the club pursue its first Champions League title, a responsibility that he shared at times with star players like Zlatan Ibrahimović, Lionel Messi, and Neymar during his seven seasons in Paris. PSG reportedly paid Monaco $214 million for his transfer.
Mbappé has had a successful time at PSG, achieving both team and individual successes. He has won six Ligue 1 titles, three French Cups, two League Cups, and a record five Player of the Year awards.
However, one significant absence from his trophy collection is the Champions League, a title that the club's Qatari owners have been eager to win since taking over in 2011. Despite investing large sums of money in top players, the closest Mbappé and PSG came was reaching the final in 2020, where they were defeated by Bayern Munich.
The closest Mbappé came to winning the Champions League was reaching the final in 2020.
The closest Mbappé came to winning the Champions League was reaching the final in 2020.
Mbappé expressed his emotions in a farewell video shared on social media. He mentioned his years at the top French club, which he considered one of the best globally. This experience prepared him for his current venture, where he faces significant pressure.
Almost seven years after joining PSG, Mbappé will have a last opportunity to win more trophies when they play Lyon in the French Cup final on Saturday.
The question remains: even if Mbappé wins another trophy, can his time in Paris be deemed successful if he doesn't accomplish the club's ultimate goal?
Mbappé has achieved a lot, but it is important to note that these accomplishments were achieved during a time when PSG was dominating French football. According to French football expert Raphaël Jucobin, winning the league title has become routine for the club.
Jucobin points out that Mbappé's performance is remarkable, as he is statistically the best player in the club's history. He holds the record for the most goals scored and has been named Player of the Year in the league five consecutive times.
"He joined PSG with the goal of winning the Champions League title, and although he hasn't achieved that yet, he has still accomplished a lot during his time at the club.
One interesting aspect is that he hasn't completely won over the fans, especially with the way he departed from the club. Despite this, he is arguably the best player the club has ever had, at least in terms of statistics."
PSG fans are most upset about how Mbappé is leaving the team. Everyone knows that the 2018 World Cup champion will be moving to Real Madrid once his contract ends. He has been openly showing interest in the Spanish club for a while.
Mbappé played a key role in France winning the 2018 World Cup.
Mbappé played a key role in France winning the 2018 World Cup.
Michael Regan/FIFA/Getty Images
Real Madrid submitted a $188 million bid for Mbappé in August 2021, which was close to being agreed upon. At that time, the Frenchman expressed his desire to leave PSG.
However, Mbappé later had a change of heart and decided to sign a new contract with PSG, extending his stay until June 30. According to the Independent, PSG has reportedly paid Mbappé around €600 million ($650M) in salary throughout his time at the club.
There was a world record bid of $332 million for Mbappé from Saudi club Al-Hilal in July last year. However, the move did not happen as Mbappé had always wanted to join Real Madrid, the club he admired while growing up.
Jucobin mentioned that there is a group of fans who are feeling frustrated with Mbappé for openly showing interest in Real Madrid.
Despite not always being a favorite among supporters, the PSG ultras chose to honor Mbappé with a large tifo at his final home game at the Parc des Princes. This decision came after the Ligue 1 club decided not to hold an official farewell ceremony for the 25-year-old. Unfortunately, PSG lost 3-1 to Toulouse in that game.
According to Jucobin, the general feeling among fans is one of gratitude towards Mbappé for his contributions. He has undeniably been the face of the club in recent seasons, breaking numerous scoring records and bringing success on the pitch.
"He's a local guy, but there hasn't been a strong connection between him and the fans like we've seen with other players, such as Marco Verratti. Verratti's farewell game earlier this season before he moved to Qatar was filled with emotion.
The fans at Parc des Princes were chanting his name, and Verratti himself was visibly moved to tears. It was clear that there was a deep bond between him and the supporters. In contrast, Mbappé may not evoke the same level of emotion from the fans."
Mbappé mentioned in his goodbye video that he is not as open or emotional as some of his teammates or the fans. He admitted that it's tough for him to announce his departure, leaving behind his country, France, Ligue 1, a league he's always been a part of. Despite the difficulty, he feels like this change is necessary for him.
Facing a new challenge after seven years is tough, and there are certain people I want to express my gratitude to first and foremost - the fans. I may not be the most expressive player, but I truly appreciate all the support you've shown me over the years.
I may not have always met your expectations or lived up to the love you've given me during these seven years, but I want to assure you that I have always strived to be efficient and effective. I have never intended to deceive anyone, and I have no regrets about any moment during this journey.
Mbappé's former teammate Thomas Meunier firmly believes that he is the top club legend. In an interview with L'Equipe, he stated, "He's the No.1, and by a long way."
The news outlet Ouest France described Mbappé's departure as the conclusion of a well-known soap opera.
The striker may not have led his team to a Champions League victory, but he definitely left his mark. Despite reaching the final in 2020, 'Kyks' was unable to win the coveted 'big ears cup,' which has been a goal for the Qatari leaders since 2011.
However, at just 25 years old, he leaves behind a legacy that will be hard to surpass. He holds the title of the top goalscorer in PSG's history and has won six French championship titles. Mbappé's departure will definitely be felt, despite his struggles in the European Cups.
Real Madrid has a remarkable record of winning 14 European Cups, while PSG has yet to secure a title in this prestigious competition. Despite this difference in achievements, the pressure of performing well in the Champions League is equally high for both teams.
Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. and Mbappé underwhelmed as PSG's front three.
Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. and Mbappé underwhelmed as PSG's front three.
Aurelien Meunier/PSG/Getty Images
Mbappé was always the top player at PSG, even with Neymar and Messi on the team. However, at Real Madrid, with talented players like Vinícius Jr. and Jude Bellingham, he may not automatically be the main man.
Jucobin mentions that it will be interesting to see how Mbappé performs in this new setting. At Real Madrid, he will not only face competition on the field but also off the field as he competes to be the face of the club. This might show us a different side of Mbappé.
"He knows exactly what he's getting himself into and understands the tasks ahead. In the French national team, he has shown his ability to adapt and knows when to step back when needed.
While he enjoys being in the spotlight and leading, he also acknowledges that he will need to earn his place at Real Madrid. It won't be given to him easily, and he is prepared to work his way up to that leadership role."
Whether or not fans agree on his status among the PSG greats, Mbappé has unquestionably left an indelible mark on the club - even if together they fell short of the ultimate prize.
