Kylian Mbappe had envisioned lifting the Champions League trophy in his final European appearance as a Paris St-Germain player, but his aspirations were dashed.
Instead, his last moment in the competition for PSG was marred by a slip as he futilely chased a through ball in a game that was already lost for the team.
Borussia Dortmund secured a 2-0 aggregate victory with a solid defensive display and a bit of luck, culminating in Mbappe’s unfortunate slip in injury time.
This event symbolized the conclusion of PSG’s star-studded yet unsuccessful pursuit of the Champions League, marking the end of a disappointing era in modern European football.
Rio Ferdinand, a former Champions League winner with Manchester United, commented on Mbappe’s subdued performance over the two legs, noting his lack of decisiveness and clinical touch in crucial moments.
Since Qatar Sports Investment took over PSG in 2011, the primary objective became conquering Europe, fueled by substantial financial investments. Despite high-profile signings like Neymar, Mbappe, and Messi, the dream of a Champions League victory remained elusive.
As the trio of stars departs PSG, with destinations ranging from Miami to Saudi Arabia and possibly Madrid, the club is left empty-handed in terms of Champions League success. While PSG has dominated domestically, claiming numerous Ligue 1 titles and domestic cups, the coveted European trophy continues to elude them, with only three appearances in the latter stages of the competition since 2017.
