Real Madrid Confidencial Luis Enrique's threat to Mbappé: 'He said it in the locker room after Mbappé left for Real Madrid'
The Asturian coach, far from lamenting, said the following in the Parisian locker room: 'We'll win the Champions League without you.'
"We'll win the Champions League without you". That was the forceful phrase that, according to sources inside the locker room, Luis Enrique uttered after Kylian Mbappé's departure to Real Madrid.
Instead of lamenting the loss of his star, the Asturian coach used the moment as a starting point to build a very different PSG: more collective, more competitive, and more his own.
In his first season without Mbappé, PSG have reached the Champions League final. They will face Inter Milan in Munich for the major European title.
A milestone that validates his coach's message. PSG, without their offensive reference of recent years, have managed to establish themselves as a compact, well-drilled, and explosive team.
Luis Enrique took full control
Luis Enrique inherited a club in the midst of reconstruction. Without Messi, without Neymar, and now also without Mbappé.
However, the coach didn't hide: "With Kylian we had a player who played with total freedom. Now I control everything," he explained months ago in an interview. His bet was firm: sacrifice the individual figure in favor of the collective.
The results have proven him right. PSG dominated Ligue 1, won the Coupe de France, and are one match away from completing the treble. All of that, without Mbappé.
The Spanish coach has shaped the team in his image. High pressing, quick ball circulation, attacking full-backs, and unpredictable wingers.
Every player knows their role, and danger can come from any area of the field. Zaïre-Emery confirmed it: "The coach said that without Mbappé we'd score more goals. He wasn't wrong."
Dembélé leads the revolution
One of the biggest beneficiaries has been Ousmane Dembélé. Under Luis Enrique's guidance, he has delivered his best season: 33 goals and 13 assists. He was chosen as the best player in Ligue 1 and is a strong candidate for the Ballon d'Or if PSG lift the Champions League.
Despite his relationship with the coach hitting a serious bump in October 2024. A disciplinary sanction left him out against Arsenal. Dembélé replied. He apologized. He returned to the starting eleven. He reached his best form.
PSG no longer depend on a single figure. They're a team. One that could make history. If they succeed, Luis Enrique's words in that locker room will resonate more strongly than ever.
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