Kylian Mbappé has expressed that he holds no bitterness over Paris Saint-Germain’s recent Champions League triumph, which came less than a year after his departure from the club to join Real Madrid. The French forward, who left PSG as their all-time leading scorer, acknowledged that his journey with the Parisian club had come to a natural end, and he is content with the path his career has taken.
Mbappé’s time at PSG was marked by incredible personal success, as he scored an astonishing 256 goals for the club. However, despite his individual brilliance, European glory eluded him during his seven seasons with the French giants. PSG finally secured their first-ever Champions League title on May 31, with a resounding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan, a milestone that Mbappé was not a part of.
Reflecting on the moment, Mbappé said he did not leave PSG too soon and that his chapter with the club was over. He emphasized that he is not bitter about missing out on the Champions League victory, explaining that he had reached the end of the road with the team. “I tried everything,” he said, suggesting that he gave his best effort during his tenure at PSG but that sometimes destiny plays a role in such outcomes.
He also expressed admiration for PSG’s accomplishment, stating that their victory without him does not affect him negatively. On the contrary, he was happy for the club and believes they deserved the title. Mbappé recognized the challenges the club had faced over the years, including the many struggles in previous Champions League campaigns. He recalled his own experiences, noting that he had participated in every stage of the competition with PSG except for the ultimate triumph.
Highlighting the dominance of PSG in the final, Mbappé remarked that he had never seen a team win a major final with such a commanding 5-0 scoreline. This emphatic victory underscored PSG’s status as the best team in Europe at that moment. His comments reflected a mature perspective on success and competition, showing respect for his former club’s achievement even as he moves forward with his new team.
Mbappé’s closest brush with Champions League success during his PSG days was in 2020 when the team reached the final but were defeated by Bayern Munich. That runner-up finish was a significant moment in his career but fell short of the ultimate prize. Now, having moved to Real Madrid on a free transfer in July 2024, Mbappé is looking to forge new successes with one of Europe’s most storied clubs.
In his first season with Madrid, Mbappé showed his scoring prowess by netting 31 goals in La Liga, which earned him the European Golden Shoe. Despite this individual success, Real Madrid were eliminated by Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, ending the campaign without a trophy for the first time in four years. This contrast between personal achievement and team results highlights the unpredictable nature of football at the highest level.
At 26 years old and as captain of the French national team, Mbappé remains one of the most influential and talented players in the world. His recent remarks reflect not only his acceptance of the past but also a forward-looking mindset as he aims to add more silverware to his career. With PSG now champions of Europe and Mbappé making his mark at Real Madrid, the football world watches closely as this star continues to shape his legacy.
