Mbappé speaks out after PSG's Champions League victory

After a long-running and closely followed transfer saga that dominated headlines for over a year, Kylian Mbappé finally parted ways with Paris Saint-Germain last summer, sealing a dream move to Real Madrid.

The French superstar arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu as the most high-profile signing in world football, expected to be the final piece in Real Madrid’s quest to return to European and domestic dominance. His arrival came with immense expectations both from fans and from within the club and from a personal standpoint, Mbappé delivered.

The 2024/25 season saw Mbappé thrive in Spain. He immediately became the focal point of Madrid’s attack, dazzling with his pace, finishing, and trademark runs behind the defense. By the end of the campaign, he had secured the Golden Boot in La Liga and led all scorers across European competitions a remarkable feat in his debut season in Spanish football. But individual accolades weren’t enough to mask the collective disappointment: Real Madrid ended the year trophyless.

In La Liga, they fell short in a tight title race against rivals Barcelona. In the Copa del Rey, they were surprisingly knocked out early. And in the Champions League the competition where expectations were highest their journey ended in frustration. Arsenal, led by a resilient and tactically sharp squad, eliminated Los Blancos in the quarter-finals, denying Mbappé a return to the Champions League final in his first season away from PSG.

Ironically, it was PSG themselves who picked up the torch. After dispatching Arsenal in the semi-finals, the French champions produced a masterclass in the final, dismantling Internazionale 5-0 in Munich to lift the Champions League trophy for the first time in the club’s history. It was a performance that stunned European football not just for the margin of victory, but for the poise, flair, and ruthlessness with which they played. For many, it was the ultimate statement: PSG had finally conquered Europe, and they had done it without their former talisman.

Despite the contrast in fortunes between him and his former team, Mbappé responded with grace and class. Shortly after the final whistle, the Real Madrid star took to Instagram to send a heartfelt message to the club where he spent seven seasons. Posting a picture of the iconic trophy with the caption, “The big day has finally arrived. A stylish victory. Congratulations PSG!”, Mbappé reminded the world of the strong bond he still shares with the Parisian club and its players. His message quickly went viral, drawing praise for its maturity and sportsmanship.

Watching the celebrations from afar, Mbappé was particularly touched by one image: Marquinhos, the PSG captain and one of his closest friends in football, lifting the Champions League trophy with tears streaming down his face. The Brazilian defender, who has been at the heart of PSG’s project for over a decade, embodied the emotion and history behind the moment. “I love you all,” Marquinhos said through choked sobs in front of Canal+ cameras. “I wanted this so badly. It was tough, it was hard, but we showed the true value of this club. The supporters gave us the strength to do it.”

Marquinhos’ emotional words resonated deeply with fans and players alike. He had been part of PSG’s most painful defeats the collapse against Barcelona in 2017, the narrow loss to Bayern Munich in the 2020 final, and countless other setbacks on the European stage. For him to finally lift the trophy in such commanding fashion was more than just a victory it was redemption.

Mbappé’s message and Marquinhos’ tears became symbolic bookends to PSG’s journey. One had left in pursuit of European glory, only to watch it slip away. The other had stayed through it all, enduring every disappointment, only to be rewarded at long last. It was a night that showcased the shifting tides of football and the emotional weight of loyalty, patience, and resilience.

As for Mbappé, he will now turn his attention to regrouping with Real Madrid for the upcoming season, determined to bring silverware to the Spanish capital. But no matter where his journey takes him, Paris will always be a part of his story and Saturday night’s final was a powerful reminder of the legacy he helped build.