(Reuters) – Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique said he was proud to have had Kylian Mbappe in his team and understood the club’s all-time leading scorer’s decision to end his seven-year stay.
Mbappe, whose contract expires this season, announced his departure in a video on Friday after months of speculation about his future.
“All I can say is marvellous things about Kylian Mbappe as a footballer and person,” Enrique told reporters on Saturday.
“I understand his decision. He has been here for seven years and as a club legend. He has given everything to this club, and this club has given him everything as well. I wish him all the best for the future.
“I have been proud to have him in this team. He has helped us and is a leader, and he has done so with a smile on his face.”
But losing Mbappe, who has scored 255 goals for PSG in all competitions and won six Ligue 1 titles with them, will not change things at the club, according to Enrique.
“These are things that we have known for a long time… it was only made public yesterday,” the coach said. “But it doesn’t change anything in terms of our general outlook. Everything will stay the same.
“Regardless of those who are here or who are absent, my aim is to be stronger next season.”
Enrique said exiting the Champions League after losing to Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals still hurt and it was important for PSG to end the season by winning the French Cup final against Lyon on May 25.
“PSG will continue to be a great team and we’ll get even better. We will bring in players with strong mentality and players who identify with the club… that’s how life works,” he added.
PSG, who have won the Ligue 1 title for the third time in a row, host 12th-placed Toulouse on Sunday, which will be Mbappe’s last home game for them.
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)
Source Agencies
