2 days ago
Kylian Mbappe bites back over PSG's Champions League win and Luis Enrique dig
Kylian Mbappe left Paris Saint-Germain for Real Madrid last summer in the hope of winning the Champions League, but it was the French side who actually lifted the European Cup this year
Kylian Mbappe has insisted he does not feel bitter over Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League win. The French side finally won Europe's most desired crown last week by smashing Inter Milan in the final in Munich.
It is the first time PSG have won the European Cup in their history and fulfills a long-held ambition for the club. They have been desperate to win the Champions League ever since being taken over by the Qatar state back in 2011.
That desperation saw them assemble a Galactico-filled side containing Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, Neymar and Mbappe himself. But they failed to follow through on their promise, wwith all four leaving by last summer.
Mbappe was the final one to remain at the Parc des Princes, before joining Real Madrid on a free transfer, citing the desire to win the game's biggest prizes. After leading PSG to the crown, boss Luis Enrique made a sly dig at Mbappe, insisting he could have been part of the historic team.
Enrique said: 'We would have loved to have him, but his decision was different. We've shown that we have stars at the service of the team, and not the other way around.'
Mbappe though has now fired back at Enrique, insisting he made the right decision to move on. He also revealed that he did indeed watch the final and hailed his former team-mates for their efforts.
"Did I leave too soon? No," he said on Saturday. "My story was over, it had to end. No bitterness, I had reached the end of the road. I would have tried anything. It was just fate that meant it had to happen without me.
"I was in Morocco, I watched the match at the Fairmont in Marrakech. Do you want all the details? I was happy, they deserve it, they've been through so much trouble, I've been through that too.
"I've been through every stage of the Champions League except the victory. They were the best team in Europe. I don't remember seeing a 5-0. It's 100% deserved, they're becoming the team everyone wants to beat."
Mbappe recovered from a difficult start at Madrid to score 43 goals in 56 games, though they failed to win a major trophy. But the Frenchman hit back at suggestions that the season was a failure, pointing to Madrid winning the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
"A blank season? Are you sure? What's a blank season? What's a blank season? Do you watch the matches? We won two titles. That's the importance of words. We missed out on important titles," Mbappe added.
"This year has been enriching. PSG winning the Champions League without me, it doesn't affect me. It's a good thing. I think that in a career we all have challenges. I'm a little more in the eye of the storm, it's good.
"I've always liked being in these positions, it's up to me to work. I've reversed a lot of trends in my career, a lot of things were pinned on me, and I managed to get them off my chest. It's up to me to work."
