Desk Report,
How PSG became a better team by leaving Messi, Neymar, Mbappe behind
PSG had Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. Even with the three best stars of the time, the Parisian club could not even play in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in these two seasons. They were eliminated in the last sixteen both times.
How PSG became a better team by leaving Messi, Neymar, Mbappe behind
Now there is no Messi, Neymar or Mbappe in that PSG. Messi and Neymar left PSG in 2023 and Mbappe in 2024. However, PSG without big names is now just one step away from winning the Champions League. Tomorrow, PSG will play against Inter Milan on the Europa League stage in Munich.
Whether PSG is the champion or not, many are surprised by the team that reached the final without any big names. What kind of magic made PSG such a good team without Messi, Neymar and Mbappe?
PSG did not have a good start to the Champions League in the 2024-25 season. Losing four of their eight group matches, they finished 15th out of 36 teams in the league stage. They also had to play a play-off to reach the last 16. However, as the tournament progressed, PSG played more organized and enjoyable football. Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, who the Parisian club lost to in the last 16, said, “This is the best team I have played against in the last three years.”
The turning point in PSG’s return to form in this year’s Champions League was in the league stage. On January 22, the opponent in the seventh match of the group was Manchester City. On that day, despite being 2-0 down to City, PSG came back to win the match 4-2. That comeback began with a goal from Ousmane Dembele.
PSG had Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. Even with the three best stars of the time, the Parisian club could not even play in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in these two seasons. They were eliminated in the last sixteen both times.
Now there is no Messi, Neymar or Mbappe in that PSG. Messi and Neymar left PSG in 2023 and Mbappe in 2024. However, PSG without big names is now just one step away from winning the Champions League. Tomorrow, PSG will play against Inter Milan on the Europa League stage in Munich.
Whether PSG is the champion or not, many are surprised by the team that reached the final without any big names. What kind of magic made PSG such a good team without Messi, Neymar and Mbappe?
PSG did not have a good start to the Champions League in the 2024-25 season. Losing four of their eight group matches, they finished 15th out of 36 teams in the league stage. They also had to play a play-off to reach the last 16. However, as the tournament progressed, PSG played more organized and enjoyable football. Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, who the Parisian club lost to in the last 16, said, “This is the best team I have played against in the last three years.”
The turning point in PSG’s return to form in this year’s Champions League was in the league stage. On January 22, the opponent in the seventh match of the group was Manchester City. On that day, despite being 2-0 down to City, PSG came back to win the match 4-2. That comeback began with a goal from Ousmane Dembele.
