Kylian Mbappe has officially announced his departure from Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season, citing the need for a new challenge after seven years with the club.
The 25-year-old forward confirmed that he will play his final game at Parc des Princes this Sunday when PSG takes on Toulouse.
In a heartfelt message on social media, Mbappe expressed his gratitude to the club, teammates, coaches, and fans, emphasizing the impact his time at PSG has had on his career and personal growth. He thanked everyone who has supported him during his tenure, acknowledging the ups and downs but expressing no regrets about his decision to join the prestigious club.
“I’ve always said that I would speak with you when the time comes. I wanted to announce to you all that it’s my last year at Paris Saint-Germain. I will not extend (my contract) and the adventure will come to an end in a few weeks. I will play my last game at Parc des Princes on Sunday.
“I have a lot of emotions. Many years where I had the chance and the great honour to be a member of the biggest French club. One of the best in the world, which allowed me to arrive here and have my first experience in a club with a lot of pressure. To grow as a player by being alongside some of the best (players) in history. Some of the greatest champions. To meet a lot of people and to grow as a man as well with all the glory and the mistakes I’ve made.
“It’s hard. I never thought it would be this difficult to announce that I will be leaving my country, France, the Ligue 1, a championship that I have always known, but I think I need this. A new challenge after seven years,” he said.
Mbappe admitted that announcing his departure was tough, highlighting the emotional difficulty of leaving his country, France, and Ligue 1, confirming that he would be leaving France this summer.
“First of all, I want to thank all of the team-mates that I had. All the coaches: Unai Emery, Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Christophe Galtier and Luis Enrique. The sporting directors, Leonardo and Luis Campos, for always accompanying me. All the staff members at the club, the ones that nobody sees. The folks in the shadows. Whether it’s physios, the attendants, all the office staff members, the ones at campus, everybody. All these incredible people who give everything to the club and they deserve to have this recognition.
“Despite everything that can happen on the outside, all this media hype that surrounds the club sometimes, there are some real club lovers, who want to protect it and make it shine and it’s great. I know with all these people, the club is in great hands.”
The France international, while expressing his gratitude to PSG fans, stated his intention to leave the club with one more trophy, the Coupe de France as PSG is set to face Lyon in the final on May 25, and Mbappe hopes to end his tenure at the club on a high note by winning the prestigious cup.
“Of course, there are some people I want to thank above all and those are the fans. I know I am not the most demonstrative player. I haven’t always lived up to the love you all gave me for seven years, but I never wanted to cheat. I have always wanted to be effective.
“PSG is a club that never leaves anyone indifferent. We can love it or hate it. I made the choice to love it and I did for seven years through the ups and downs. I do not regret at any moment signing for this prestigious club. It’s a club that I will keep in my memory my entire life. I will tell everybody that I had the chance to play here. Although I won’t be a player here anymore, I will continue to watch every game because it’s a club that I will always be interested in and I will always closely follow.
“It was me with my qualities and defects, but I tried to give the best version of myself during those seven years. I want to say thank you because without you all, I would have never experienced half of the emotions that I felt. For that, I am grateful for life.
“Thank you all and I hope we finish this year with a last trophy. We are going to have good moments for what’s left and believe me that you will remain in my heart forever. Goodbye.”
Mbappe leaves PSG with an impressive record, having scored 255 goals in 306 games and winning numerous titles, including Ligue 1 six times. He also played a crucial role in helping France win the World Cup and has become one of the most influential players in the world.
While his departure marks the end of an era for PSG, the club has already begun to focus on a new direction, investing in younger talent and building a team with a long-term vision. Despite the loss of a player of Mbappe’s caliber, PSG remains committed to maintaining its status as an elite club and is set to target new signings to fill the void left by the departing star.
