Has 25-26 PSG Been Better off Without the Former Five-Time Ligue 1 Player of the Year?
When Kylian Mbappé left Paris Saint-Germain, many expected the club to decline. Losing one of the most explosive attackers in world football usually creates a massive void, especially for a team that had built much of its identity around him. Instead, over the last two seasons, PSG has looked more balanced, more organized, and in many ways, more complete. That has led to an uncomfortable question for many fans: Has PSG actually improved without Mbappé?
Under Luis Enrique’s leadership, the team has developed a clearer collective identity. Rather than relying heavily on one superstar to decide matches, PSG now appears to function more as a connected unit. The attack presses together, the midfield plays with greater freedom, and the defensive structure looks more stable than during the later years of the Mbappé era. Enrique himself has reportedly hinted at this idea before, emphasizing the importance of sacrifice, pressing, and collective effort. His philosophy has always centered around the team functioning as one system rather than revolving around an individual star. Without the French superstar, PSG has looked more committed defensively from the front, which has allowed the entire structure of the team to improve.
One of the main criticisms directed at Mbappé during his final years in Paris was his limited defensive contribution. While his attacking numbers were elite, there were frequent moments where he offered little resistance off the ball. In modern football, especially at the highest level, forwards are often expected to initiate the press and help defensively. PSG sometimes looked unbalanced because other players had to compensate for the lack of effort in those areas. That issue becomes even more noticeable in high-intensity matches. Teams that press together tend to control games better, while teams carrying passengers defensively often become vulnerable in transition. PSG now looks more aggressive without the ball, and many believe that has been a major factor in their recent success. Another important factor is the squad's mentality. During Mbappé’s final seasons, there were often reports of tension surrounding hierarchy, influence, and decision-making within the club. Similar concerns about hierarchy, chemistry, and accountability have reportedly followed the star forward to Real Madrid, where a locker room disaster during the 2025-26 season has become one of the club’s biggest storylines. Whether fair or exaggerated, the perception existed that PSG had become too dependent on one player. Since his departure, the dressing room reportedly feels more unified, with responsibility spread more evenly across the squad.
This does not mean the elite attacker was the problem or that PSG became a better team simply because he left. Talent like his is incredibly rare, and there is no denying the goals, moments, and star power he brought to the club. However, football is not only about individual brilliance. Sometimes, a team becomes stronger when the collective system takes priority over accommodating one superstar. There is also a stylistic difference now. PSG’s attack looks more fluid, with players rotating positions and contributing defensively at a higher rate. The team may not have replaced Mbappé’s raw individual production completely, but they appear more difficult to break down and more consistent across ninety minutes. Ultimately, the debate says as much about modern football as it does about the dynamic attacker himself. A player can be world-class and still not perfectly fit a manager’s tactical vision. Under Enrique, PSG seems to have embraced a more collective approach, and so far, the results suggest it may be working better for them than many expected after the departure of their former superstar.
