Kylian Mbappé found himself at the center of the news in Spain after Paris Saint-Germain's latest European triumph. On Saturday, PSG won their second consecutive Champions League title, defeating Arsenal in the final after a 1-1 draw that went to penalties. Since the French striker's departure to Real Madrid in 2024, the Parisian club has achieved a clean sweep on the European stage, winning the Champions League twice, while Real Madrid has failed at every level for the past two years. This triumph immediately reignited a heated debate in Spain: Has Paris become stronger without Mbappé?
The Paris project has changed dimensions
Luis Enrique's work is at the heart of the discussions. Since the end of the Mbappé saga, the PSG coach has implemented a more fluid, more balanced, and above all, victorious collective project. One comment powerfully summarizes this evolution: "Luis Enrique marked a turning point in PSG's history. While Mbappé's departure seemed to tarnish the club's image, his project began to shine brightly." Mbappé's departure, initially perceived as a loss, has turned into a catalyst for PSG. The club lost its star, but it gained a team.
Two seasons without Mbappé, two Champions League titles
Paris' collective progress is being emphasized repeatedly. PSG is building on its best European period in its history. The situation is dire for Mbappé, as the Spanish press reports: “Not only were they better, but they were the best team for two consecutive seasons. A miracle that few had anticipated, but that Luis Enrique had seen coming. Luis Enrique knew how to turn the loss of a player of Mbappé’s caliber into an asset rather than a problem.”
In two years without Mbappé, Paris won two French league titles and two Champions Leagues. The record is undeniable.
Dembélé freed from Mbappé's shadow
The parallel with Ousmane Dembélé further reinforces the comparison. Before Luis Enrique's arrival at PSG, Dembélé was portrayed as an inconsistent player, frustrated at not being the star of the show and still hesitant despite his talent. But his status has changed with the new Parisian project, as indicated by the Spanish media: "The day before Luis Enrique arrived at PSG, Dembélé was an inconsistent player, tired of not being the star of the show, hesitant despite his talent. But the Asturian arrived, and as soon as he was freed from Mbappé's shadow, he gave Dembélé the smile he wears today." Dembélé has established himself in the Parisian team and scored in the final. And above all, he is now celebrating his second consecutive Champions League title. The contrast is stark. Dembélé lifts another Champions League trophy with PSG. Mbappé, meanwhile, watches his former club continue to win without him.
The commentary emphasizes this intertwined destiny: "Dembélé celebrates his second consecutive Champions League title, scoring again, albeit from the penalty spot, but scoring nonetheless. And Mbappé is on vacation. Since Kylian's arrival at Real Madrid, Luis Enrique has been all smiles with relief."
Real Madrid would have done PSG a favor
The harshest attack directly targets Mbappé's transfer to Real Madrid. The argument put forward is scathing: by signing the French striker, the Spanish club may have helped Paris more than it weakened them. "Some will undoubtedly think that Real Madrid did PSG a great service by signing Mbappé; it allowed Luis Enrique to develop his playing philosophy without excessive pressure."
The message is undeniable: without the pressure surrounding Mbappé, Luis Enrique would have had free rein to implement his playing style. PSG has ceased to rely on a single key player and has built itself around a dominant collective.
Mbappé, the big loser in the comparison
The conclusion is merciless for the Real Madrid striker: "For those who don't know, in two years without Mbappé, they won two French league titles and two Champions Leagues. Kylian, on the other hand, won nothing... and pocketed millions."
The symbolic toll is heavy. Paris is writing its European history without him. Dembélé shines in a championship-winning team. Luis Enrique is celebrated for having transformed a major setback into total domination.
Mbappé, for his part, finds himself at the heart of a comparison that clearly works against him. Having left to take his career to the next level at Real Madrid, he sees his former club accumulating trophies, to the point where it seems that his departure has liberated PSG more than it has weakened them.
