Mbappé
Mbappé Left, the Trophies Stayed: PSG Triumphs While Kylian Bites His Golden Boot

He joined Real Madrid in search of the Champions League trophy — and PSG, his “ex,” lifted it the very same season.

Kylian Mbappé became a global football sensation thanks to his performances at Paris Saint-Germain. He arrived in the French capital after a standout season with Monaco, where he won the Ligue 1 title. But in July 2024, the World Cup winner moved on, signing with Real Madrid to chase the ultimate club prize: the Champions League.

The transfer was among the most talked-about in recent history. Pundits speculated endlessly about his future, and expectations were sky-high. Now, nearly a year later, the result is... a trophyless debut season with Los Blancos. Is this how Kylian pictured the next chapter of his career? Probably not.

The One Goal: The Champions League

Mbappé’s primary motivation for heading to Spain was clear — the Champions League title. His PSG years were filled with heartbreaking near-misses. Perhaps the most painful was the COVID-hit 2019/2020 campaign, when PSG reached the final only to lose to a prime Bayern Munich side chasing a treble.

It’s worth noting that PSG’s path to that final — against Dortmund, Atalanta, and RB Leipzig — was relatively forgiving, especially when compared to Bayern’s gauntlet of Chelsea, Barcelona (remember the 8–2?), Lyon, and ultimately PSG in the final.

Then came a semi-final exit to Manchester City in 2020/21, early knockouts by Real Madrid and Bayern in consecutive years, and a limp semi-final loss to Dortmund. By then, Mbappé’s patience had run out.

So the World Cup winner decided it was time to join a club that knows how to win the Champions League. Real Madrid was naturally at the top of that list.

What Went Wrong in Madrid?

Everything that could.

Carlo Ancelotti’s ideas dried up, and the campaign collapsed. A humiliating 1–3 aggregate loss to Arsenal in the Champions League left Real’s legacy bruised. One of the worst performances in club history.

And what was Mbappé up to? Filing lawsuits. The Frenchman launched legal action against PSG, demanding the freezing of €55 million in assets over alleged unpaid wages and bonuses. PSG fired back, countersuing for €98 million and accusing Mbappé of damaging the club’s reputation. They claimed the legal maneuver was baseless and purely tactical.

While the case played out in court, Real crashed out to Arsenal — the same Arsenal that PSG would go on to defeat en route to the final. In that final, the Parisians obliterated Inter Milan 5–0 and, at long last, lifted the long-coveted “Big Ears” trophy.

Ironically, the one player they could never win it with might have been the one holding them back all along.

Mbappé’s Congratulatory Message... Through Gritted Teeth

After PSG’s Champions League triumph, Kylian offered a congratulatory message that didn’t exactly ooze warmth:

“Finally, the big day has come. A triumph, in true PSG style. Congratulations,” he wrote on social media.

It's hard to imagine his expression while watching the match — or typing those words.

To make matters worse, Mbappé failed to win any domestic titles in Spain. La Liga went to Barcelona, as did the Copa del Rey. In the Spanish Super Cup, Barça thrashed Real 5–2.

And back in Paris? PSG claimed the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, and narrowly beat Monaco to lift the French Super Cup. Mbappé left a treble-winning side behind… for a medal-less campaign in Madrid.

Golden Boot, but at What Cost?

Technically, Mbappé didn’t finish empty-handed. He won the European Golden Boot, scoring 31 goals. But even that came with a twist: Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres netted 39 goals, more than anyone in Europe.

However, due to UEFA’s coefficient system, only players in the top five leagues receive full points (x2 per goal). Mbappé’s goals earned him 62 points, while Gyökeres — playing in Portugal — received only 58.5 (with a 1.5x multiplier). Fair reward for the Frenchman? Or just a consolation prize in a failed season?

The Final Verdict: What Does Mbappé Really Have?

Mbappé joined Real Madrid in search of greatness. Instead, he experienced a barren campaign. PSG, the club he left and then sued, had one of the greatest seasons in football history — winning the treble and finally conquering Europe.

Only nine clubs had achieved that before:

  • Celtic (1967)
  • Ajax (1972)
  • PSV (1988)
  • Manchester United (1999)
  • Barcelona (2009, 2015)
  • Inter Milan (2010)
  • Bayern Munich (2013, 2020)
  • Manchester City (2023)

Now, in 2025, PSG has joined that elite club.

The Golden Boot feels almost symbolic. Mbappé might not even place it on his trophy shelf — perhaps hang it on a nail in quiet protest instead.

Published by Patrick Jane
02.06.2025