Paris, France – Paris Saint-Germain’s first season without Kylian Mbappé has defied expectations, with the French champions not only retaining their Ligue 1 crown but also positioning themselves for an unprecedented treble.
As the club prepares for finals in both the Coupe de France and UEFA Champions League, one former star believes the key to their success lies in a dramatic shift from individual brilliance to collective cohesion.
Former PSG captain Thiago Silva has offered insight into the team’s transformation following Mbappé’s high-profile departure to Real Madrid last summer.
In an interview with Carré magazine, the Brazilian defender credited the capital club’s evolution to a stronger team dynamic and a more balanced approach on the pitch. “PSG? When you look at the team, you don’t see just one player making the difference,” Silva said, as quoted by Le10Sport.
“Of course, there’s [Ousmane] Dembélé, but I mean that behind him, the team is really solid! A great goalkeeper, fullbacks who charge forward like crazy, wingers… It’s not just one or two players, it’s a real team. And that makes me happy, because building a real team isn’t easy. They’re on the right path.”
Mbappé, PSG’s all-time leading goal scorer, was often seen as the face of the club in recent years. His departure raised questions about how the Parisians would fill the void left by the World Cup winner.
However, under the guidance of head coach Luis Enrique, PSG have shifted away from a star-centric system toward a more fluid and collective model of play.
That approach has paid off. The team secured their 13th Ligue 1 title with several matches to spare, showcasing depth across all areas—from the stability of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to the attacking flair of Dembélé and new signing Bradley Barcola.
In midfield, the rise of talents like Warren Zaïre-Emery and the consistency of Vitinha have added to the side’s strength in balance and versatility.
Silva, who played for PSG from 2012 to 2020 and captained the side to multiple domestic trophies, emphasized that building a “real team” is often more difficult than assembling world-class individuals.
“Everyone looks at big names, but football is won with balance and unity,” he added. “PSG have found that this season.”
With the Coupe de France final against Stade de Reims and a Champions League showdown against Inter Milan on the horizon, PSG have a chance to cement their status as Europe’s most complete team this season. Should they complete the treble, it would not only be a historic achievement but also a validation of the club’s shift in philosophy.
Whether or not they lift all three trophies, this season may well be remembered as the turning point when Paris Saint-Germain evolved from a team of stars into a star team.
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