Kylian Mbappe’s departure to Real Madrid marked the end of an entire era for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The grand project of the Qatari owners to turn the club into a European powerhouse has failed, despite unprecedented investments. Undoubtedly, bookmakers like Mostbet UZ will continue to consider PSG the main and undisputed favorite to win Ligue 1 and the French Cup, but ambitions to win the Champions League will undoubtedly diminish with the Frenchman’s departure.
Record Spending with No Results
Since the arrival of the QSI investment company in 2011, PSG has spent around 2 billion euros on player transfers and star salaries. However, the main goal—winning the Champions League—remained an elusive dream. Even the attempt to concentrate the entire playing model around Mbappe did not bring triumph on the European stage.
From an economic point of view, the QSI project at PSG has been quite successful. Thanks to the skillful management of president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the club’s value has grown from 70 million euros at purchase to an impressive 4.25 billion euros at present. PSG has entered the top three richest clubs according to the Deloitte Football Money League. However, such an impressive financial rise did not translate into significant sporting achievements on the field.
Chasing Superstars Instead of Developing Talent
Initially, Al-Khelaifi declared an intention to focus on finding and developing young talents rather than luring established stars. But in practice, PSG’s transfer strategy followed the path of acquiring already renowned footballers contrary to the initial statements. The culmination of this course was the scandalous signing of 34-year-old Lionel Messi in 2021 on a massive contract.
Destructive Rivalry Between Neymar and Mbappe
The high-profile transfers of Neymar in 2017 and Mbappe a year later for record sums became PSG’s calling card. However, instead of a powerful attacking duo, the Brazilian and the Frenchman turned into irreconcilable rivals, fiercely competing for leadership within the team. This conflict between the two stars fractured the locker room and significantly undermined the entire grand QSI project.
Over time, even PSG management realized that Mbappe had become more of a problem than a solution. According to former sporting director Leonardo, despite his phenomenal talent, in his six years in Paris, Kylian was unable to lead the club to the coveted Champions League victory. His behavior in recent years showed that he was not yet the leader capable of guiding the team to great achievements.
The club long pandered to Mbappe’s demands and ambitions, including in matters of transfer policy. Notable examples include last year’s acquisitions of Ousmane Dembele and Randal Kolo Muani—players personally approved by Kylian. But such a strategy of indulging the superstar’s whims did not pay off. PSG did not win the main European trophy and lost its key player, Mbappe himself.
No Mbappe – New Perspectives?
President Al-Khelaifi, however, believes that Kylian’s departure could open new long-term prospects for the club. “We are building a project for the future with the youngest team in Europe, we have a bright future,” he said after PSG’s exit from the Champions League. Perhaps moving away from super-expensive superstars in favor of developing their own talents will finally help Parisians overcome the curse of not reaching the final of the main European competition.
At the same time, losing a whole host of star players—Neymar, Mbappe, Messi—threatens the attractiveness and recognition of the PSG brand worldwide. The Parisian club has largely exploited the names of celebrities to maintain audience interest and attract new sponsors. Now, having lost its main trump card, PSG will have to find new ways to gain mass popularity and recognition.
Challenges in the Domestic Market
Moreover, the loss of such bright figures could significantly affect PSG’s match attendance and interest from French fans. The fact is that the French championship itself is not the most attractive tournament. It was the presence of superstars like Mbappe and Messi that drew crowds to the stadiums. PSG’s unchallenged dominance in Ligue 1 has already caused irritation among fans due to its predictability. The departure of the main stars could further devalue the domestic French championship in the eyes of local fans.
