In a video posted on social media on Friday, May 10, Kylian Mbappé, the 25-year-old football sensation, confirmed what had been widely speculated: his departure from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the end of the season.
This announcement marks the end of a prolific era for Mbappé at his hometown club, which began in 2017 following a record-breaking transfer from Monaco.
“I wanted to announce to you all that it’s my last year at Paris Saint-Germain. I will not extend, and the adventure will come to an end in a few weeks,” stated Mbappé in the heartfelt video message. “I will play my last game at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.”
Mbappé’s decision to leave PSG comes despite the club’s dominance in French football, having secured their 10th Ligue 1 title in the last 12 seasons.
However, European success has remained elusive for the Qatar-owned club, with Mbappé departing without ever lifting the prestigious UEFA Champions League trophy during his seven-year tenure.
The talented forward, who was a key figure in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph, informed PSG of his intention to depart privately in February, but this public announcement cements his decision.
While Mbappé did not disclose his next destination in the video, it is widely anticipated that he will join the Spanish giant Real Madrid.
“It’s a lot of emotions, many years where I had the chance and the great honor to be a member of the biggest French club, one of the best in the world,” expressed Mbappé, reflecting on his time at PSG. “But I think I needed this, a new challenge after seven years.”
Mbappé’s arrival at PSG in 2017 marked a significant moment in football history, as his transfer fee of 180 million euros ($194 million) remains the second largest in football history.
His departure from PSG follows in the footsteps of other high-profile signings, including Neymar, who joined the club from Barcelona for a world-record fee of 222 million euros.
Despite PSG’s significant investments in top talent, including the addition of Lionel Messi to their lineup for two seasons, European glory has remained elusive. The closest they came was in the 2020 Champions League final, where they suffered defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich.
Mbappé’s departure also means he will miss out on the opportunity to face his likely future employers, Real Madrid, in this year’s Champions League final, after PSG were eliminated by Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals.
Throughout his time at PSG, Mbappé has been a prolific goal scorer, netting 255 goals in all competitions and securing numerous domestic titles, including six Ligue 1 titles, three French Cups, and two League Cups.
As Mbappé prepares for his final appearances in PSG colors, including the French Cup final on May 25, fans will undoubtedly reminisce about his unforgettable contributions to the club’s success over the years.
While his departure marks the end of an era for PSG, it signals the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Mbappé’s illustrious career as he looks ahead to new challenges and opportunities at Real Madrid.
This article was created using automation and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
