Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has stated that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has become a more stable team since Kylian Mbappe’s departure to Real Madrid earlier this summer. The Frenchman, however, noted that Mbappe’s absence has resulted in a loss of “magic” for the team.
PSG Falls Flat Against PSV Eindhoven
French champions PSG faced off against PSV Eindhoven at the Parc des Princes on Matchday 3 of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League season. With three points from their first two games (1 win, 1 loss), PSG needed a positive outcome against the Dutch side.
Despite a strong start, PSG found themselves trailing 1-0 after the first 30 minutes, as Noa Lang scored for PSV Eindhoven. PSG equalized early in the second half, with Achraf Hakimi finding the back of the net in the 55th minute. However, they failed to secure a victory despite several chances, ending the game in a 1-1 draw and dropping to 17th place in the rankings.
Thierry Henry Explains the Effects of Kylian Mbappe’s Departure
During an appearance on CBS Sports Golazo, Thierry Henry discussed the impact of Mbappe’s departure on PSG. Henry commented:
“I think they are a team. They are a bit more stable, less counters. But they still lost Mbappe. It’s very difficult. For example in a game like that, Kylian can turn it into a 2-1 or a winning goal towards the end, a moment of magic. You lost a bit of magic but the team looks a bit more sound in terms of balance. But obviously, the result is not good enough.”
When asked if Mbappe’s absence had relieved pressure on PSG, Henry responded:
“No, the same. You decided to get rid of those guys. The way it was with the crowd and everything, they decided to go young and I was calling that when I was in France. But when you go young, you can’t go full young too early. You need to have a couple of guys that can be around. Marquinhos stayed, [Achraf] Hakimi is passing the veteran status. You need to have guys that can help those guys to be better also. It doesn’t mean that because Kylian Mbappe left it is easier, I think [Luis Enrique] has to be disappointed in that result tonight.”
Mbappe became PSG’s all-time leading scorer during his seven-year tenure at the club from 2017 to 2024, playing 308 matches, scoring 256 goals, and providing 108 assists.
