Paris Saint-Germain embark on a new chapter without Kylian Mbappe as the Ligue 1 season kicks off this weekend. While the French forward has moved on to Real Madrid, the shadow of his departure still looms large over the Parisian club, as manager Luis Enrique found himself facing questions about Mbappe at his press conference on Thursday.
Despite the transfer saga concluding at the beginning of June, Mbappe remains a hot topic for the media. When a Spanish journalist asked Enrique if he had watched Real Madrid’s Super Cup victory against Atalanta, in which Mbappe scored a goal, the manager responded with a wry smile: “My God these Spanish people are boring… I didn’t imagine you were going to ask me a question about Kylian again,” he said, shaking his head. “But I don’t have anything to hide. I have always adored Kylian Mbappe and he is a unique and exceptional person. I wish him the best, and that Madrid lose against us.”
Enrique’s response highlights the lingering presence of Mbappe in the PSG narrative, even as the club moves forward. The manager is clearly aware of the importance of replacing Mbappe’s goalscoring prowess, but he’s also emphasizing the need for a collective approach. “If someone else scores 40 goals, that would be great,” he said. “But based on my experience, it is better to have four players scoring 12 — that would make 48, which is more than 40. I think it’s a fascinating challenge. It’s a challenge to show that football is a collective sport.”
PSG’s opening match against Le Havre promises to be a tough test. The team faced difficulties against Le Havre last season, including a 3-3 draw at home and a hard-fought 2-0 win away, where goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was sent off early in the match. Luis Enrique acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead, stating, “Despite the result, it was tough away to Le Havre. We really had to dig in and we will face the same difficulties this time,” he said. “Our aim is to start the season in the best possible way and to make our fans happy from the first game. We are ready and delighted to get started.”
PSG will be looking to build on their impressive away record from last season and begin their title defense with a strong performance against Le Havre. The absence of Mbappe will undoubtedly present a new challenge, but Enrique’s focus on a collective approach and the team’s determination to make a strong start suggests that PSG is ready to face the new season head-on.
