Real Madrid Star Shows Class Toward Former Club as He Reflects on “Completed” Paris Chapter
In a display of sporting maturity, Kylian Mbappé has warmly congratulated Paris Saint-Germain on their maiden Champions League victory, setting aside past tensions that marked his departure from the French capital.
The 25-year-old superstar, now with Real Madrid, watched as his former teammates dismantled Inter Milan 5-0 in last week’s final – a performance he called “100% deserved” during a candid media session on Saturday.
“I was happy, they deserved it,” Mbappé reflected. “They’ve been through so many problems – I’ve been through that too. They were the best team in Europe this season.”
A Complex Legacy
Mbappé’s relationship with PSG ended turbulently in 2023, with the club’s all-time leading scorer departing on a free transfer and later filing a €55 million wage claim. Yet the France captain insists there’s no bitterness about PSG’s success without him.
“PSG won the Champions League without me – that doesn’t affect me,” he stated. “My story there was over; it had to end. There was no bitterness, I’d reached the end of my tether.”
Looking Forward
While Mbappé’s debut Madrid season yielded 43 goals, it ended trophyless – a stark contrast to PSG’s historic treble. The forward remains philosophical about career cycles: “I’ve reversed quite a few trends in my career. I’ve had many things stuck on my back, and managed to get them off.”
In a notable endorsement, Mbappé backed former teammate Ousmane Dembélé for the Ballon d’Or over Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, citing the French winger’s 33-goal, 15-assist contribution to PSG’s landmark season.
As Mbappé prepares for Euro 2024 with France, his gracious acknowledgment of PSG’s triumph demonstrates the perspective of a player who, despite his youth, understands football’s ever-turning pages.
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