Mbappe has no regrets over PSG exit
Kylian Mbappe has no regrets over his Paris Saint-Germain exit, even after watching his former club become champion of Europe for the first time.
Luis Enrique's swashbuckling PSG side swept all before it in the UEFA Champions League, beating Inter Milan 5-0 in the final after eliminating Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal.
Its victory in last week's Munich showpiece was the most one-sided in any European Cup or UEFA Champions League final, with Desire Doue netting twice and being joined on the scoresheet by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Achraf Hakimi and Senny Mayulu.
PSG's first European crown came in its first season without Mbappe, who left on a free transfer to join Real Madrid last year.
Although Mbappe scored 43 goals in all competitions in 2024-2025, the most of any player from Europe's top five leagues and a record for a Madrid player in their first campaign, Los Blancos failed to lift a major trophy.
They finished second in LaLiga, behind Barcelona, also losing to their great rival in the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana finals. Arsenal ended its UEFA Champions League hopes at the quarter-final stage.
Speaking at a press conference to preview France's UEFA Nations League third-place play-off against Germany, Mbappe was asked for his thoughts on PSG's success.
"I was happy because I think they deserve it," the forward said. "They have had so many years where they have struggled, I was part of that too.
"I have experienced all the stages of the [UEFA] Champions League except the victory, so I know very well what I am talking about.
"If we talk purely about the pitch, they were the best team in Europe, so they deserved their title.
"To win 5-0 in the final ... I don't remember a major final that finished 5-0, so it's 100 per cent deserved. Now they will become the team that everyone wants to beat."
Since Luis Enrique took charge of PSG ahead of the 2023-2024 campaign, the Ligue 1 champion boasts a far better record without Mbappe than it did with him.
Mbappe appeared in 48 games for Luis Enrique's PSG. It won 30 of those matches for a 62.5 per cent win rate, averaging 2.4 goals per game.
Without Mbappe involved, the Parisien side has won 47 of 63 matches under Luis Enrique for a 74.6 per cent win rate, averaging 2.6 goals per game.
Asked if he regrets the timing of his exit, Mbappe replied: "No, I didn't leave too soon, I think my story with PSG was over. It had to end, and that's why there's no bitterness.
"I think I had reached the end of the road and when you get to the end, there are no regrets.
"I tried everything and, in the end, it was just fate that made it happen without me, that's all."
After the conclusion of France's UEFA Nations League campaign, Mbappe will link up with new Madrid coach Xabi Alonso for the first time, ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Los Blancos open their Group H campaign against Al-Hilal on 19 June(AEST), before facing Pachuca and RB Salzburg.
PSG is in Group B, with Botafogo, Atletico Madrid and Seattle Sounders.
