Kylian Mbappé has officially marked the end of his era with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), closing a significant chapter with a 2-1 victory over Lyon in the final of the Coupe de France at Pierre-Mauroy. With a sense of nostalgia and emotion, the world champion expressed that he would carry the club's memories with him as he embarks on new ventures. This final match in Rouge et Bleu culminates a journey announced internally in February and publicly on May 10th, linking it to notable matches such as the last Champions League game against Dortmund and the Parc des Princes farewell against Toulouse. The victory not only reaffirms PSG's dominance with their 15th Coupe de France win but also caps off a national treble with previous victories in the Champions Trophy and Ligue 1.
During the match, Mbappé exhibited noticeable joy and camaraderie with his teammates, despite not scoring. This is significant as it was the first Coupe de France match of the season where he didn't find the net, leaving his tally at 8 goals for the tournament. Nonetheless, the triumph of his teammates and the shared jubilation with Parisian supporters underscored his impact and leadership both on and off the pitch.
The night also featured notable interactions, including a warm exchange with President Emmanuel Macron, who acknowledged Mbappé's contributions with personalized words during pre-match presentations. Despite the stern defense from Lyon, Mbappé's spirit and effort were evident as he sought to make his final PSG match memorable with dynamic plays and attempts to score. His leadership was palpable when he addressed his team in a pre-match huddle, displaying his intent to ensure an impeccable performance in what would be his last Parisian jersey bout.
Mbappé was instrumental from the outset, displaying agility and skill, notably attempting an acrobatic scissors kick from a cross by Marquinhos, which was ultimately ruled offside. Despite PSG's goals from Dembélé and Ruiz in the first half, Mbappé continued to push post-break, relentlessly dribbling and shooting, though the Lyon defense thwarted his efforts repeatedly. Despite not scoring, Mbappé's presence and determination were key in PSG's gameplay.
In essence, Mbappé's farewell match was not adorned by an iconic goal but rather by the essence of victory for PSG. He concluded his journey with an achievement that would allow him to go on a short vacation before joining the French national team. Thus, Kylian Mbappé's last Parisian match is remembered for its essence of victory and the emotional farewell of a football prodigy leaving to conquer new horizons.
- Mbappé's departure from PSG is set to free up more than 200 million euros for the club next season, potentially enabling significant new acquisitions.
- Throughout his tenure with PSG, Mbappé won numerous titles and became the top scorer in the club's history, with the Coupe de France being a notable highlight.
- The camaraderie shown between Mbappé and his teammates, including moments with Ousmane Dembélé and Luis Enrique, reflects his importance in the team's dynamics and morale.
