The departure of Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid last summer marked the end of an era. For years the trio has Lionel Messi, Neymar and Mbappe was expected to dominate European football. However, this star-studded line-up failed to deliver Champions League glory, and Neymar’s latest revelations about internal tensions have shed new light on their ‘ego’ battle.
As PSG adjust to life without their all-time leading goalscorer, Portuguese midfielder Vitinha has made headlines by suggesting the team is thriving as a collective unit after the Mbappe era. In an interview with The Timesreflected the 24-year-old on the effects of the Frenchman’s exit and the new dynamic within the team. While acknowledging the void left by the French star, Vitinha emphasized the importance of collective effort over individual brilliance.
“Kylian is one of the best, if not the best,” Vitinha admitted. “We knew it was going to be difficult that we couldn’t replace him right away. But you can replace him with the team. That’s what we’ve done. I think collectively, as a team, we’re better and we’ve already shown that. Sometimes the goals don’t come, but we have a lot of excellent forwards.”
The Parisians’ goalscoring problems this season, especially in the Champions League, have been evident. With Randal Kolo Muani departing and Goncalo Ramos as the only no. 9, the team has relied heavily on adapting its tactical approach under coach Luis Enrique.
Reflecting on the Messi-Neymar-Mbappe era
Vitinha also looked back on his early days at PSG and shared memories of playing alongside global superstars Lionel Messi, Neymar and Mbappe. “It was like a dream” he said. “I thought it wouldn’t feel real for a long time. It wasn’t easy, even in games, with the obligations I had. But I will remember that period for the rest of my career because I played with the best. That is something I will tell my children and grandchildren one day.”
However, Vitinha expressed a preference for PSG’s current project, which prioritizes a balanced, team-oriented strategy over a star-studded lineup. “I prefer this kind of project,” he noted. “The new way they look at building the team, with a long-term vision, is the best way.”
Vitinha’s comments come amid renewed discussions about Mbappe’s relationships with former team-mates. Neymar, now with Al-Hilal, has also offered insights into the tensions during this period. In a podcast, the Brazilian revealed that while he and the French superstar shared many positive moments, friction arose after Messi’s arrival in 2021. According to Neymar, Mbappe seemed reluctant to share the limelight, leading to occasional disagreements.
“After Messi joined I felt a bit of jealousy from [Mbappe]”, he said. “He didn’t want to share my attention with anyone else, which led to some disagreements and a noticeable change in attitude.”
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