Almost a year has passed since Kylian Mbappe left Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for Real Madrid. The Frenchman leaving PSG without a Champions League title remains an unfulfilled dream, both for the player and the club. PSG haven’t won the Champions League in their 54-year existence but are just one win away from changing that.
In the UEFA Champions League final set to be played at the Munich Arena on Saturday, the Parisiens will have yet another shot at European glory as they take on Inter Milan.
Luis Enrique’s post-Mbappe PSG squad hasn’t been constructed around stars, rather a well-oiled unit that has been delivering on all fronts. While the team does not rely on one individual to lead the lines, a Frenchman in their ranks has often been the point of difference. Ousmane Dembele, in his second season at the club, has been an indispensable part of the setup. As they challenge for European silverware, the former Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund winger knows the summit clash carries a deeper personal significance.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! In his 10 seasons as a professional, Dembele has played in the Champions League in nine of them. While he’s no stranger to starry nights, he will play his first-ever final on Saturday, and could possibly make it his, and his team’s, first continental triumph.
Under Enrique, the 28-year-old has developed into being more than a traditional winger. Throughout the campaign, the No. 10 has been given the freedom to roam the pitch, create chaos in midfield and orchestrate chances. His redefined role has paid dividends: 8 of his 20 Champions League goals have come this season. His goal in the first leg of the semi-final against Arsenal remains one of the most important moments in PSG’s road to the final.
The France international has 32 goals in all competitions this season, including joint-best 21 in Ligue 1. But it’s not just about the goals — it’s about how he’s scoring them. Since being repositioned as PSG’s primary attacking outlet, his shot conversion rate has gone from 13.5% to 26.7%.
“We always try to give our all, especially as we have the ambition here at Paris Saint-Germain to win this trophy for the first time”, said the winger-turned-striker on the final. His transformation is nearly complete. A Champions League triumph would mark the culmination of his journey — from an inconsistent, injury-prone winger to a confident, clinical goalscorer.
As PSG stand on the verge of European glory, only for the second time, can the once injury-prone, inconsistent and question-marked winger do what Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., Mbappe, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and a long line of stars couldn’t? Only time will tell.
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