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PSG fans have mixed feelings about Mbappe. |
This will be the first time the French star has faced his former club since leaving PSG to join Real Madrid in the summer of 2024. Legal disputes, a strained relationship with PSG's management and fans raise the question: Is Mbappe truly a PSG legend, or just a star hated by fans for leaving his hometown club?
The relationship broke down.
Just a few years ago, Mbappe was considered the icon of PSG, the face of the team in the long term. The striker, born in Bondy (a suburb of Paris), joined PSG from AS Monaco in 2017 for €180 million.
In his seven seasons with PSG, he scored 256 goals and provided 108 assists in 308 matches, becoming the club's all-time leading scorer. However, the relationship between Mbappe and PSG has become strained over the past three years, particularly towards the end of his contract.
Recently, Mbappe has continued to pursue a lawsuit demanding €55 million in unpaid wages for the final three months of his contract with PSG. This legal battle reflects a deep rift between Mbappe and the PSG leadership, particularly with president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who once called the 1998-born striker a "star with unreasonable behavior."
The world of football has perhaps rarely seen a case quite like Mbappe's. He is PSG's record-breaking goalscorer and once held an iconic position at the club. However, the way he left – as a free agent without generating a transfer fee for PSG – along with legal controversies, caused a segment of fans to turn their backs on Mbappe.
Le Monde once wrote: “Mbappe may be the best player in PSG history, but a section of the club's fans see his departure as a betrayal. PSG are stronger without him.” PSG's 2024/25 Champions League victory seems to reinforce this assessment.
No one at PSG regrets Mbappe's departure anymore; instead, there is only resentment towards the striker born in 1998. Of course, a segment of PSG fans still celebrate Mbappe's achievements in Paris, but this number is very small.
Many believe that Mbappe "abandoned" the team to pursue personal glory at Real Madrid. PSG's success under Enrique, with its collective play and the brilliance of other individuals, only fueled further criticism of Mbappe from the French club's fans.
The battle for honor
An interesting question arose ahead of PSG's semi-final clash with Real Madrid in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup: would Mbappe celebrate if he scored against his former club? According to L'Équipe , Mbappe decided he would not perform any flamboyant celebrations if he scored, as a way to show respect to the Parisian fans and the club that nurtured him from a young talent into a world-class star.
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Mbappe reportedly decided not to celebrate if he scored against PSG. |
This decision reflects Mbappe's wisdom. The French striker is smart enough to avoid causing controversy or "adding fuel to the fire" in his relationship with his former club.
However, whether or not he celebrates a goal probably won't significantly affect Mbappe's determination. Especially since the French star is eager to prove his worth against his former team.
With a 39% chance of winning the Club World Cup according to Opta , PSG are considered the favorites over Real Madrid (24%) ahead of their semi-final clash. PSG's European championship win puts them in a stronger position than Real, leading many to believe that Mbappe's departure last summer was a mistake. Under coach Luis Enrique, PSG have proven they can succeed without Mbappe.
In contrast, Mbappe's Real Madrid had a trophyless season, being eliminated in the Champions League quarter-finals. This contrast adds to the pressure on Mbappe in the upcoming match, as he faces a PSG team at the peak of their form.
Mbappe faces a major paradox in his career: he is the greatest goalscorer in PSG history, yet he is seen as a traitor by some fans. The match against PSG at the 2025 Club World Cup is not only an opportunity for Mbappe to prove his worth against his former club, but also a moment to shape his legacy: a PSG legend or a star hated for leaving his homeland?
Source: https://znews.vn/mbappe-la-huyen-thoai-bi-cam-ghet-cua-psg-post1566874.html
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