Paris Saint-Germain's qualification for the 2026 Champions League final has reignited debates about the impact of Kylian Mbappé's departure. After eliminating Bayern Munich (6-5 on aggregate over two matches), the Parisian club is preparing to face Arsenal on May 30, with the ambition of securing a second consecutive title in this prestigious competition.
The backdrop is marked by Kylian Mbappé's transfer to Real Madrid in 2024. The striker, then at the end of his contract with PSG, chose to join the Spanish club, leaving behind a void that many imagined would be difficult to fill. However, from the outset, coach Luis Enrique asserted that PSG might even perform better without its star.
These statements, which may have been surprising at the time, now seem to take on another dimension. PSG not only won the Champions League in 2025 against Inter Milan (5-0), but is also in a strong position to repeat this performance in 2026.
In a recent statement relayed by Fabrizio Romano, Luis Enrique reaffirmed his conviction: "I think I was very brave in saying that Mbappé was the real problem of this team and that we would be better without him. We are about to prove it a second time, the statistics of both teams speak clearly."
These remarks, although direct, reflect a certain confidence in the Parisian collective. The Spanish coach seems convinced that PSG's strength lies in its team play and its ability to evolve without depending on an individual, however talented.
The final against Arsenal will be a crucial test to validate this thesis. If PSG manages to win, the debate on Kylian Mbappé's real contribution during his time in Paris is likely to take an even more intense turn. In the meantime, Mbappé is still chasing his first European champion title in club.
