Ousmane Dembele Asked if PSG Are Better Without Kylian Mbappe

Without the talismanic Kylian Mbappe, Paris Saint-Germain have a chance to make history and win their first-ever Champions League – and Ousmane Dembele, a key player for Luis Enrique, has been asked whether life in the capital is more fruitful without his former teammate and compatriot.

Enrique and his entourage are one step away from being immortalised in football mythology. As one of the biggest clubs to never win the Champions League, PSG are hoping to add Europe’s top table to their cabinet – all without Mbappe.

Plenty has been made of Paris-born Mbappe’s departure and there’s a compelling argument to be made that parting ways with the winger-turned-striker has, in fact, boosted their chances of succeeding on all fronts. Dembele has now had his say.

Dembele’s Answer When Asked if PSG Are Better Without Mbappe

‘There is a before and an after Kylian’

For years, the Ligue 1 behemoths have used their pulling power to attract some of the world-beating assets – not least Lionel Messi and Neymar, but that also includes Mbappe, who joined in 2017 as one of the most exciting teenagers on the planet.

Long-standing interest from Real Madrid made the France to Spain move inevitable – and in the summer of 2024, the one-time World Cup winner joined Los Blancos on a free transfer.

As was the influence of France’s goal-getter-in-chief, PSG were left with a gaping hole to fill. Dembele stepped up in his absence, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s January arrival helped proceedings, and the dynamism of Desire Doue is the icing on the cake.

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In truth, the perennial Ligue 1 winners are looking as frightening as ever and, as alluded to, some believe that it’s thanks to the departure of Mbappe, widely regarded as one of the fastest players in football history, last summer as he moved to Madrid.

Dembele – commonly admired as one of the best players in world football after a monstrous campaign in the French capital – has, however, rebuffed claims that he and his teammates are a better outfit without 26-year-old Mbappe. Per GOAL, he said:

Should PSG reign supreme at the Allianz Arena, Munich, there is every chance that Dembele, 28, would be the leading contender to win this year’s Ballon d’Or. In all competitions, he’s plundered 33 goals and an additional 13 assists at the time of writing.

Elsewhere, Mbappe endured a tricky start to life at the Santiago Bernabeu before finding his feet. Flanked by Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr with Jude Bellingham in behind, goals were inevitable – and to conclude his maiden season, he’s scored 42 times and notched just four assists.