It is the kind of script that football occasionally writes that is so perfect in its irony it feels like fiction. For years, Paris Saint-Germain’s entire sporting project, backed by billions in investment, was singularly focused on one goal: winning the UEFA Champions League. At the heart of that quest was their superstar, Kylian Mbappé. Yet, in the very first season after his acrimonious, high-profile departure to Real Madrid, PSG finally reached the promised land, thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 to lift the coveted trophy for the first time.
This incredible twist of fate left the football world asking one question: what must Mbappé be thinking? His public response has been a masterclass in grace and maturity, insisting he feels no bitterness. However, the situation creates a fascinating and complex “what if” narrative that will forever be a part of his legacy, exploring the fine line between personal ambition and collective glory.
A Tale of Two Destinies: PSG’s Treble vs. Madrid’s Trophyless Season
The 2024/25 season unfolded in a manner that could not have been more dramatically divergent for Mbappé and his former club. While PSG were marching towards a historic treble—winning Ligue 1, the French Cup, and culminating in their spectacular Champions League final victory—Mbappé’s first season in the famous white of Real Madrid ended in frustrating disappointment. Despite his own exceptional individual performance, which saw him score an impressive 43 goals in all competitions, the team failed to secure any major silverware. They finished as runners-up to a resurgent Barcelona in both LaLiga and the Copa del Rey, and were eliminated from the Champions League in the quarterfinals by Arsenal.
This stark contrast in fortunes is the central irony of the story. The very trophy that had eluded Mbappé throughout his entire tenure at PSG, the one that was the primary motivation for his move to the kings of Europe, Real Madrid, was triumphantly lifted by his former teammates just one year after he left. For a player driven by an insatiable desire for the biggest prizes, watching from afar as his old club celebrated their greatest-ever achievement must have been a surreal and complex experience, regardless of his public statements.
“My Story Was Over”: Analyzing Mbappé’s Public Response
Faced with a barrage of questions from the media, Kylian Mbappé chose his words carefully, projecting an image of a man at peace with his decision. “I was happy, they deserved it,” he stated, praising his former club’s performance. “They were the best team in Europe. I can’t remember ever seeing them go 5-0 up. It’s 100% deserved.” This magnanimous response is even more remarkable given the context of his departure, which involved a bitter legal dispute over a reported €55 million in unpaid wages and bonuses.
Rather than expressing regret, Mbappé framed his exit as a necessary conclusion to a chapter of his life. “Did I leave too soon? No, my story was over, it had to end,” he explained. “There was no bitterness, I’d reached the end of my tether.” This narrative portrays a player who felt he had given everything he could to the PSG project and needed a new challenge for his own personal and professional growth. He acknowledged the pressure that comes with his status, stating, “I’ve always liked being in these positions, it’s up to me to work.” By taking this mature stance, he has attempted to control the narrative, positioning himself not as a man who missed out, but as a supportive alumnus who is happy for his friends’ success while he focuses on his own journey.
The Legacy Debate: Does PSG’s Victory Redefine the Mbappé Era?
PSG’s ultimate triumph without their long-time talisman inevitably sparks a fascinating debate about Mbappé’s legacy in Paris. On one hand, critics might argue that his departure was the final catalyst for success, allowing PSG to evolve from a team built around a single superstar into a more cohesive, collective unit. They might point to the team’s dominant final performance as evidence that they were finally able to play with a freedom that was not possible when the entire focus was on one individual.
However, a more nuanced perspective would argue that this victory was built on the foundations that Mbappé himself helped lay. During his tenure, he became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer and elevated PSG from a strong domestic team into a perennial Champions League contender. He was the central figure in their near-misses, including the 2020 final against Bayern Munich. It can be argued that the club learned invaluable lessons from these painful defeats, lessons that steeled them for their eventual victory. From this viewpoint, the 2025 triumph is not a repudiation of the Mbappé era, but rather its logical culmination. He may not have been on the pitch to lift the trophy, but his years of driving the club to the elite level were an indispensable part of the journey.
Passing the Torch: The Ballon d’Or Endorsement for Dembélé
In a final, telling gesture of goodwill, Mbappé went on to emphatically endorse his former teammate and fellow Frenchman, Ousmane Dembélé, for the Ballon d’Or. Dembélé was instrumental in PSG’s treble-winning season, contributing a remarkable 33 goals and 15 assists. When asked if he would vote for Dembélé over a rival like Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, Mbappé was unequivocal.
“Would I vote for Dembele? Yes. Is there really any need to explain?… I’m going for Dembele. It’s very clear,” he said. This endorsement is more than just supporting a friend. It is a symbolic passing of the torch. By championing a star of the new-look PSG for football’s highest individual honor, Mbappé publicly validates the success of the team he left behind. It’s a final act that reinforces his narrative of a clean break and a supportive, forward-looking mindset, effectively closing the book on his time in Paris with a final act of class.
