Kylian Mbappe: Why is France forward important to Paris Saint-Germain?

After years of speculation and a roller-coaster ride of sorts, the famous (or infamous for some) Kylian Mbappe transfer saga might very well be over. It was reported on Friday that Mbappe has informed his club Paris Saint-Germain about his intention of leaving the club — Which could only mean one thing, a possible and potential move to LaLiga giants Real Madrid which has been making the rounds in each of the recent transfer windows. For PSG, should this Kylian Mbappe exit officially happen, it couldn’t come at a worse time. Not because PSG are yet to win a UEFA Champions League title, but because of the manner in which they have let go of certain stars in the past, with Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr being the latest examples. In fact, in September last year, Neymar went onto claim that not everything was alright at PSG. “I was very happy for the year [Messi] had, but at the same time very sad, because he lived both sides of the coin. “He went to heaven with the Argentina team, won everything in recent years, and with Paris he lived hell, we lived through hell, both he and I," Neymar told Globo last year on his and Messi’s time at PSG . The duo were also subject to abuse from PSG supporters during the 2022-23 season. It shouldn’t come as a surprise now that Mbappe wants to leave PSG. However, in the 2023 summer transfer window, it wasn’t just Real Madrid who were interested. Saudi club Al Hilal were also keen on the French striker, only for Mbappe to turn down the million dollar offer. A new twist in the tale happened late last year, when Real Madrid had ruled out a move for Kylian Mbappe. However, despite this, Mbappe did not sign a contract extension and the two-year contract he had signed in 2022 is set to expire this summer. Signing a contract extension with PSG last year would have kept Mbappe at the French capital till 2025. But, this time, it seems like Mbappe has made up his mind for sure, so much so that PSG may not be able to convince the 2018 World Cup winner in reversing his decision. Mbappe’s potential departure from PSG would be a massive blow given the stature the Franch star has built for himself as well as for the club. Why Kylian Mbappe is so important to PSG? Simply put, Mbappe is a proven match-winner with World Cup and multiple Ligue 1 titles, and PSG know this very well. Though not happy in Paris, Mbappe’s decision to extend his PSG stay up until now might have had a political influence as well. French president Emmanuel Macron had in 2021 convinced Mbappe to stay in the club and even last year, Macron had “pushed” Mbappe to stay at PSG.

🚨🌬️ Kylian Mbappé didn’t mention any detail on his future club to teammates at PSG during today’s speech…

…but in both Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid dressing rooms, feeling around players is clear: Mbappé will finally join Real in the summer. pic.twitter.com/cDrLAvlu4e

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 16, 2024

Maybe, just maybe, Emmanuel Macron might be right in this case. Mbappe is just 25 years old and he has got a long career ahead of him. Simply put, it’s understandable why PSG are reluctant to let Mbappe leave the club, let alone free of cost. Even when Messi and Neymar were part of PSG, Mbappe was still the backbone of the club. Yes, it’s been an on and off relationship between Mbappe and the Ligue 1 giants, but more importantly no matter what, Mbappe has produced results courtesy of goals. It’s that hunger for silverware, hunger for Champions League success that is driving him elsewhere and out of Paris. Take this for example. Mbappe has scored 20 out of PSG’s 50 goals in the French top flight this season. That’s almost half of PSG’s overall tally, and in a way, that shows how one man can matter a lot to the club. In Ligue 1 this season, Mbappe is the leading goal-scorer and the next best is Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette with 11 goals. And PSG’s frontline looks rather inexperienced without Mbappe.

Mikel Arteta on rumours around Kylian Mbappe's future 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/2K0ltf8EXx

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 16, 2024

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Last summer, PSG spent €265m in the transfer window solely on forwards. This includes the loan signings of Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos, but neither have been really able to step up despite their opportunities. This makes Mbappe’s presence in the PSG setup even more indispensable. Mbappe’s intent, meanwhile, is clear. He wants to win trophies. Not just the domestic titles, but even something more than that, winning the Champions League in particular. “The next level? Winning the Champions League, I think. I’ve already played in a final, a semi-final, the quarter-finals, the last 16…. I’ve done everything except win. That’s all I need. I hope it will be as soon as possible. Where will it be? At Paris Saint-Germain. I’m Parisian and I have a contract. So it will be at PSG,” Mbappe had told France 3 last summer. Another reason why Mbappe is crucial to PSG? Barring the 2019-20 season Mbappe has gone onto win the Golden Boot in each of the seasons since 2018-19 season. He has even won five of PSG’s last six top flight titles, and another one looks likely on the way this summer. But, for Mbappe, he simply has not been in the right environment with the right people. Mbappe had been given a promise of a strong and competent team that would be built around him, but instead, Mbappe would have maybe felt that’s not the case. Messi and Neymar left the club in unceremonious fashion, and Mbappe has lacked that kind of support at the heart of PSG’s attack ever since. Although Ousmanne Dembele, Mbappe’s French teammate, joined PSG from Barcelona last summer, it’s not been that kind of a dream start for Dembele with just one goal and seven assists from 26 games. Mbappe and PSG have been inseparable at times but largely the two have had a toxic relationship. And now, with Mbappe finally having made up his mind, PSG’s transition might only have just begun. PSG would now feel as to how the club could have handled the Mbappe situation better and wish only if he would have stayed, because, at the end of the day, what is a domestic league without homegrown talents?