Champions League Trophy, Mbappe's Dream Farewell Gift

Kylian Mbappe will not change his decision to move from PSG. Before that, he had the ambition to give the "Big Ears" trophy.

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PSG striker Kylian Mbappe celebrated his first goal against Barcelona in front of the PSG supporters' stand during the quarter-finals of the Champions League match, on Wednesday (17/4/2024) at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium. The goal was the result of a penalty kick.

Often left out and often ridiculed by Paris Saint-Germain fans following his decision to refuse a contract extension, Kylian Mbappe has proven to never lose his commitment to giving his all for "Les Parisiens". Mbappe only needs at least three more wins to close his career in Paris beautifully, namely winning the Champions League trophy.

Mbappe was one of the players who received criticism due to PSG's defeat, 2-3, to Barcelona in the first match of the Champions League quarter-finals, last week. There were no key passes or shots produced by the French national team captain.

However, fortunes turned in the second half that took place at the Olympic Stadium Lluis Companys on Wednesday (17/4/2024) at WIB. Mbappe managed to break free from Barcelona's tight defense. He proved this by taking a shot only 28 minutes into the game. One of his shots was blocked by Barca's goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, while his header was cleared by Barca's defender, Jules Kounde, in front of the goal line.

In the second half, Mbappe secured PSG's victory with a score of 4-1, leading them to an aggregate score of 6-4. He scored two goals, one from a penalty kick in the 61st minute and one from a shot in front of the goal in the 89th minute. Mbappe currently leads the list of top scorers in this season's Champions League with eight goals.

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Kylian Mbappe, PSG striker, fired a shot that became his second goal against Barcelona in the quarterfinals of the Champions League on Wednesday (April 17, 2024), at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.

Interestingly, Mbappe celebrated the brace by running towards the PSG support stands behind Barca's goal in the second half. This gesture shows that Mbappe is not too concerned about verbal attacks and even banners mocking his decision to leave at the end of this season from PSG supporters, especially the CUP (Collectif Ultras Paris).

That once again proves Mbappe's love for PSG. As a local Parisian, Mbappe certainly wants to give the first European trophy to Les Parisiens before leaving the French capital and wearing another European club's uniform starting from next season. Not surprisingly, the CUP sang Mbappe's chants after watching the 25-year-old player score PSG's third and fourth goals.

”This victory is for them (the fans). The supporters have made a long and complicated journey to be here (Barcelona). We thought about them too to achieve this result and we are very happy to be able to make it happen. "We will fight together again in the semifinals," said Mbappe as reported by Le Parisien.

Mbappe asserts that there is no need to doubt his loyalty to defend the banner of PSG. As a citizen of Paris, he says that defending PSG and bringing about great moments to pursue the Champions League trophy is an honor for him.

Also read: PSG's Confidence Results in Smiles in Barcelona

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PSG's attacker, Kylian Mbappe, led his teammates in celebrating their victory over Barcelona in the quarterfinals of the Champions League with PSG supporters, on Wednesday (17/4/2024) at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.

”I am very proud to defend the club from day one. "That's not because I've gone through good and bad periods, but this is my pride as a Parisian," said Mbappe, who has scored 13 goals in the last 13 games in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

He continued, "I dream of winning the Champions League with PSG. We will face other great opponents (Borussia Dortmund) and we will give everything to reach Wembley (the location of the final match)."

When asked about the impact of PSG's performance this season on his future decisions, Mbappe shook his head. "No. It will not change anything," said the player wearing shirt number seven who is currently in negotiations with Real Madrid.

Leader

PSG coach Luis Enrique said Mbappe was a team leader who had a huge influence on Les Parisiens' game. Even though the captain's armband is on the arm of defender, Marquinhos, Mbappe's presence has a big influence on his teammates.

Also read: Enrique's Cruel Face for Barcelona

This victory is for them (the 'fans').

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Paris Saint-Germain player, Kylian Mbappe, celebrated the team's fourth goal against Barcelona in the second leg quarter-finals of the Champions League in Barcelona, Spain on Wednesday (17/4/2024) early morning WIB. The goal secured PSG's victory of 4-1 and qualification to the semifinals with a 6-4 aggregate advantage.

"You can see how our team presses, look at the pressure given by Kylian (Mbappe). He is the team leader in that scheme, I lift my hat to him," said Enrique as quoted by UEFA's website.

"When a team feels that an important player like him (Mbappe) is ready to lift up and sacrifice for the team, it has a big influence on the other players," continued Enrique.

In the midst of a fluctuating season, Mbappe has also proven to continue performing at his best every time Enrique plays him. He has scored 41 goals from 42 matches in the 2023-2024 season.

Rio Ferdinand, former Manchester United defender, considers Mbappe a high-quality player who always has the ability to become a determining factor for his team in important matches. According to Ferdinand, the two semifinal matches against Dortmund will further confirm Mbappe's status as a player who can alleviate pressure in critical moments of the game.

Also read: Barcelona's Experience Will Decide

AP PHOTO/EMILIO MORENATTI

Paris Saint-Germain player, Kylian Mbappe (right), vies for the ball with Barcelona player Pau Cubarsi in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals in Barcelona, Spain, on Wednesday (17/4/2024) early morning WIB. PSG won 4-1 in the match.

”I think some players are like a blessing from heaven to appear in important games, like Mbappe. "In his second goal, the ball didn't fall to someone else, but came towards him because he was the decisive figure," said Ferdinand in his review to TNT Sportsas reported by the BBC.

After failing in the 2019-2020 edition's final against Bayern Munich, Mbappe and PSG finally made a comeback in the semifinals. Dortmund is not unfamiliar to Mbappe because four seasons ago, the German team was one of the "victims" of PSG on their way to the inaugural Champions League final.

Of course, there is no more monumental farewell gift that Mbappe can give to PSG than the "Big Ear" trophy. Whether it happens now or not at all, Mbappe!