Al Khelaifi makes public the message Mbappé sent him about the Champions League: ‘He chose…’
🤝 Mbappé Congratulates Al Khelaifi After PSG’s Historic UCL Triumph: “He Chose Another Path”
Paris Saint-Germain finally reached the summit of European football last Saturday, clinching their first UEFA Champions League title. In the aftermath of the historic 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in Munich, Nasser Al Khelaifi, president of PSG, revealed a classy gesture from Kylian Mbappé — the man who left Paris just weeks before the club’s ultimate triumph.
📲 Mbappé’s Message: Respect Beyond Rivalry
Speaking to TalkSport, Al Khelaifi shared that Mbappé personally sent him a message to congratulate him on the achievement:
“He congratulated me. I wish him all the best. He chose another path, and we continue on ours.”
The PSG president took the high road, acknowledging the role that Mbappé — along with other stars — played in building the club’s foundation, even if they didn’t lift the trophy themselves.
🏛️ Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present
Al Khelaifi was generous in crediting former players for shaping PSG’s journey toward European glory:
“I want to thank all the ex-players. Our first signing, Javier Pastore, believed in our project. Then our former captain Thiago Silva, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Edinson Cavani, Thiago Motta, Ángel Di María… and of course Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé. They are part of our story and our success.”
Even though PSG’s current title came after Mbappé’s departure, Al Khelaifi recognized the groundwork laid by this golden generation of stars — a diplomatic and respectful tone, despite years of media speculation and tense negotiations with the French forward.
💫 A New Era in Paris
Al Khelaifi also emphasized PSG’s shift in strategy:
“We now have stars, but they are dedicated to the team. The best UEFA player is Dembélé, the best young UEFA player is Désiré Doué. Seven of our players are in the UEFA Team of the Year. We are no longer a team that plays for its stars — we are a team of stars that play for each other.”
It’s a subtle but pointed reference to the previous era, which many critics saw as “too individualistic.” PSG now seems determined to build around a collective identity rather than big-name egos.
🏆 Mbappé’s Turn to Chase the Champions League
As for Mbappé, the Champions League remains the one major title missing from his otherwise glittering resume. The newly crowned Real Madrid No. 9 will now set his sights on:
- 🏆 UEFA Nations League with France this summer
- 🌍 FIFA Club World Cup with Real Madrid later in 2025
There is a strong belief in Madrid that Mbappé’s hunger, combined with the club’s legendary European pedigree, will eventually bring him the trophy he has long pursued.
