Presnel Kimpembe, who came through the Paris Saint-Germain youth system, spoke at length to Foot Mercato. The former Parisian defender discussed the behind-the-scenes story of his departure from the club, his pride in having won the 2025 Champions League with Paris, his thoughts on Luis Enrique’s work, and the shared emotion surrounding Ousmane Dembélé’s Ballon d’Or win.
Presnel Kimpembe: “My only desire was to play football again, to rediscover my joy.”
“Tell us a bit about the behind-the-scenes of your departure from Paris Saint-Germain. How did the discussions with the management go?”
“We’re not going to get into details (he laughs), but it was quite a special moment because it was the first time I’d really been involved in such in-depth negotiations with the club. I still had one year left on my contract, I could have stayed in Paris as I’d said before. Everything was going well with PSG, I had no problem with anyone. My only desire was to play football again, to rediscover my joy. Let’s just say that, this time, I thought a little more about myself personally than about everything else — family or otherwise.”
Kimpembe’s injury ultimately marked the end of a long love story with PSG. It’s easy to understand his need to seek more playing time — and perhaps a better contract — especially as he no longer had any guarantee of minutes under Luis Enrique. Paris was entering a new cycle, and it’s best that this chapter ended respectfully, on good terms.
Kimpembe: “With all due respect to the clubs that have won it, winning in Paris is something very special.”
“Let’s go back to that night of May 31, 2025, and the Champions League victory. As a player trained at the club, what did you feel at the final whistle?”
“It was an indescribable emotion. I grew up at the club. I spent my whole life there, fighting for this moment for years. We had setbacks, we fell, we got back up. We showed character. It wasn’t easy. As I’ve always said, the pressure in Paris isn’t the same as anywhere else. I’d rather win one Champions League in Paris than five with Real Madrid or others — with all due respect, of course. But winning it here, in Paris, is special. Everyone had been waiting for it for years. We fought hard to make it happen. It was incredibly tough — you could see that in our matches against Manchester United, Manchester City, or Bayern Munich in the final. Finally reaching the top was an unbelievable relief.”
For lifelong PSG fans, winning the Champions League is undoubtedly the greatest moment in the club’s history. Kimpembe was fortunate enough to be part of it, even if he played only a small role. Under Luis Enrique, the title was collective — and Kimpembe deserves his place among the players who delivered PSG’s first ever Champions League.
Kimpembe: “I’ve had great coaches at PSG, but Luis Enrique brought something new and different.”
“What differences do you see between the PSG of the past and this new, seemingly untouchable PSG?”
“Of course, things have changed — otherwise the club wouldn’t be where it is today. I was lucky to be there at the start of the project, so to speak. Not at the end, because there will never be an end. PSG will always evolve. The PSG of the past can’t really be compared, because football itself has changed — yesterday’s football isn’t today’s or tomorrow’s. But as I’ve always said, eras change. I had the chance to play with so many great players — too many to name. I learned from everyone.
Today, the club is much more focused on collective football and on being an institution where no one is above the club. In the past, we had strong individualities. Now, the recruitment strategy and Luis Enrique’s arrival brought a new dynamic. Everyone contributes. I’ve had great coaches at PSG, but Luis Enrique brought something genuinely new and different.”
Kimpembe: “I was really happy for him. Honestly, it made me proud.”
“Ousmane Dembélé won the Ballon d’Or. Have you spoken to him since the ceremony?”
“Yes, we talked on the phone. He even came to Doha (for his rehab). I was really happy for him — honestly, proud. He deserved it. Seeing a Paris Saint-Germain player, and a French one at that, win the Ballon d’Or is an honor. Everyone was sincerely happy for him. You could see it in all the videos and messages online. Even though Ousmane isn’t someone who usually shows his emotions, the fact that he cried on stage showed how much effort and energy he put in to achieve it.”
Luis Enrique, Ousmane Dembélé — everyone at PSG appreciated Kimpembe, a true titi parisien and a model teammate. The outpouring of affection he received speaks volumes. PSG has fundamentally evolved in recent months, taking a bold turn under Luis Enrique’s vision — and the results speak for themselves.
Kimpembe witnessed the Qatari project from its beginnings and understands the value of those years of hard work and necessary failures that eventually led to success. Now, only Marquinhos remains from the early days of the project. Soon, a full renewal will come — but it’s important never to forget the journey that built this PSG.
