Awkward inquiries were inevitable following Paris Saint-Germain’s recent Champions League humiliation, though that didn’t make them any easier to swallow for those involved in the PSG venture.
Following his team’s ᴜnexpected exit after a surprising 2-0 aggregate defeat to underdog Borussia Dortmund, Kylian Mbappe faced inquiries about his preferences for the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. The forward, set to join Real Madrid, responded with an eye roll before walking away, seemingly annoyed by the untimely mention of Madrid by someone other than himself.
Meanwhile, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was visibly irked when a journalist questioned the job security of coach Luis Enrique. Al-Khelaifi sharply retorted, expressing incredulity at the query and questioning the journalist’s understanding of football.
Despite approximately €1.9 bιIIιоn spent since the Qatari Sports Investment (QSI) group took over in 2011, PSG has yet to secure a Champions League title. The strategy of assembling a team of superstars, including building around Mbappe, has not yielded success. What lies ahead for PSG, then? Could the club face obscurity, synonymous with excess and embarrassing European exits?
From an economic standpoint, QSI has transformed PSG, significantly increasing its value over the past 13 years. However, on-field success, particularly winning the Champions League, has remained elusive. Al-Khelaifi, who promised European conquest within four years back in 2014, has yet to fulfill this commitment.
Despite initial intentions to focus on nurturing emerging talents rather than acquiring existing superstars like Lionel Messi, PSG ultimately succumbed to signing Messi at the age of 34, reflecting the club’s shift toward high-profile acquisitions. However, this move, while symbolizing PSG’s ambitions, also represented the supporters’ discontent with the club’s direction.
The acquisition of Neymar and Mbappe in 2017 marked a turning point, yet internal conflicts eventually undermined the team’s potential. Despite subsequent high-profile signings, PSG’s inability to achieve Champions League success persisted, irrespective of the coach’s identity.
Former sporting director Leonardo eventually acknowledged Mbappe’s role as part of the problem rather than the solution at PSG. Despite the club’s staunch support for Mbappe amid internal disputes, their strategy did not yield desired outcomes.
Losing Mbappe, while significant, may ultimately benefit PSG, signaling a potential return to focusing on team dynamics rather than individual stars. Al-Khelaifi reмɑιns optimistic about the club’s future despite the recent setback, emphasizing a commitment to a long-term project with a youthful squad.
However, without Mbappe, PSG faces uncertainties regarding its image and revenue generation. The departure of high-profile players may impact the club’s global appeal and social media following, raising questions about its future direction and relevance.