image credit: AP
Kylian Mbappé’s tenure at Paris Saint-Germain began with a flourish, a teenage prodigy arriving with the promise of lighting up Ligue 1. However, his departure, announced just days before his final home game, carries a distinct air of disappointment, marked by unfulfilled ambitions and a lingering sense of what could have been.
Mbappé’s 2017 arrival from Monaco, for a then-astronomical €180 million, was a statement of intent by the Qatari-owned club. Now, a seasoned 25-year-old, he played his last Parc des Princes match on Sunday, bittersweetly scoring in a 3-1 defeat to Toulouse.
The farewell, however, lacked the warmth one might expect. Sections of the crowd jeered his name upon the announcement, a stark contrast to the cheers emanating from other parts of the stadium
The farewell, however, lacked the warmth one might expect. Sections of the crowd jeered his name upon the announcement, a stark contrast to the cheers emanating from other parts of the stadium. This followed his bombshell announcement, delivered via a personal video platform rather than official club channels, that he would be leaving PSG.
Adding to the awkwardness, the club remained conspicuously silent on the matter. Even between Mbappé’s announcement and the Sunday night game, their social media feed buzzed with various updates – next season’s kit reveal, a betting partnership announcement, their women’s team’s achievement – but there was a noticeable absence of any Mbappé-related content.
The club’s lack of tribute during the game, despite it not being the season finale, spoke volumes. Instead, it fell to the ultras, the CUP (Paris Ultras Collective), to honor him with a banner and a giant tifo.
The reasons behind the apparent rift between the mega-rich club and their record goalscorer (256 goals) are multifaceted. Let’s delve into the factors that contributed to this somewhat sour conclusion.
Broken Promises and Unfulfilled Ambitions
PSG might feel a sense of betrayal by Mbappé’s decision to leave, having tabled a record-breaking contract in 2022. However, Mbappé himself felt frustrated. Promises of signing key players, particularly a world-class center forward like Robert Lewandowski, to free him up to play his preferred left-wing position, weren’t kept. Reportedly, Mbappé was also surprised to be paraded in front of fans holding a jersey with “2025” – his contract was until 2024 with an option for an extra year.
A Tense Standoff and A Rejected Escape Route
Last year, Mbappé stunned PSG by declining the contract extension. With his contract nearing its end, PSG faced the dilemma of selling him or losing him for free. While they insisted on a sale, Mbappé wanted to stay on. This resulted in a period of tension, with Mbappé being ostracized and left out of the pre-season tour to Japan.
A record-breaking offer of $332 million arrived from Al-Hilal, but Mbappé wasn’t interested, reportedly refusing to meet with their representatives.
A Strained Relationship and A Patchy Return
The standoff continued with a photo op seemingly aimed at the club, where Mbappé trained with fringe players and signed autographs outside the training complex. He was even dropped for the season opener, watching from the stands as PSG drew 0-0.
With Lionel Messi gone and Neymar on the verge of departure, coach Luis Enrique couldn’t afford to keep Mbappé sidelined. He returned for the next league game, scoring a penalty.
A Temporary Truce and The Final Curtain
A semblance of normalcy returned, but it was short-lived. In February, Mbappé informed club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi of his departure, though he kept it under wraps until Friday. The news reportedly strained his relationship with Enrique, who knew his star player wouldn’t be around for the long haul.
Recent weeks saw Enrique flexing his authority, substituting Mbappé in crucial games.
A Diminished Status
Mbappé’s seemingly untouchable status was under siege. When Enrique subbed him out midway through the second half against rivals Marseille in March, a surprised Mbappé muttered something negative under his breath.
While they reconciled after PSG knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League quarterfinals (with Mbappé scoring a brace in the second leg), the magic wasn’t there in the semifinals against Borussia Dortmund. PSG lost both games 1-0, with Mbappé failing to find the net. Once again, the Champions League trophy remained elusive for PSG.
Mbappé’s final act in a PSG shirt will be the French Cup final against Lyon on May 25th. The Parisian chapter closes, leaving behind a legacy of brilliance and a lingering sense of what could have been for both player and club.
