Kylian Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid was expected to be a major setback for Paris Saint-Germain. Instead, the French club has flourished, reaching the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League final. Now just one step away from glory, head coach Luis Enrique explained why the team has actually improved without its former superstar.
Luis Enrique took charge of PSG in July 2023 with the task of finally delivering Champions League success. Without a central star and initially seen as underdogs, PSG defied expectations—knocking out heavyweights like Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal en route to the final.
Speaking to TNT Sports, the Spanish manager was asked how Mbappe’s departure impacted the squad. His response was telling: “I think it was an stimulus for all the team, for all the players, because we tried to manage the way we played. In that case, I have to say that everybody gets involved, everybody took the positive things.”
Luis Enrique further underlined the shift in team dynamics, drawing a clear line between PSG with and without Mbappe. “And as a team, we are very happy because I think we are better than the last year on and off the ball, and that’s important to us,” the boss concluded.
For PSG, this moment represents another shot at achieving the goal that has eluded them for years: winning the Champions League. With stars like Neymar, Lionel Messi, and now Mbappe gone, Luis Enrique’s collective approach has taken center stage.
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Mbappe’s defensive commitment: The main issue for Luis Enrique
Mbappe has long been one of the most dominant players in world soccer, consistently contending for the Ballon d’Or and smashing scoring records. Naturally, his exit could have been viewed as a major loss. Yet Luis Enrique seems more than content with how things turned out.
Over the past season, several clips circulated showing Enrique urging Mbappe to commit more defensively. His demand for greater effort off the ball became a recurring theme. PSG reached the semifinals last season but fell to Borussia Dortmund, with Mbappe struggling to leave a mark in one of his final games for the club.
In the 2024-25 season at Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti also struggled with this same situation, where Mbappe and Vinicius Junior failed to be the first defensive line. Luis Enrique’s remarks about being “better than last year on and off the ball” appear to be a direct nod to the work rate and cohesion of this current squad.
Ousmane Dembele, who has stepped into the attacking spotlight, embodies the balance Enrique seeks. And while Mbappe scored 45 goals in 49 appearances last season, PSG’s transformation under Enrique—and their place in the final—suggests the team has grown stronger without them.
