Kylian Mbappe is set to bid farewell to Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, marking his final appearance for the club in the French Cup final against Lyon.
This decisive match will be Mbappe's 308th outing for PSG, a journey that began with his high-profile transfer from Monaco in August 2017 for a staggering 180 million euros.
Assuming the France captain, now 25, takes the field in Lille, it will be a momentous occasion, following his absence in PSG's last two Ligue 1 fixtures. These absences, strategic moves to keep him fresh for the Cup final, underscore the importance of this match despite PSG having already secured the Ligue 1 title. However, coach Luis Enrique hinted at some recent dissatisfaction with Mbappe's commitment, stating, "This week we will see who is ready, who is not, and who has the most desire."
Throughout his tenure at PSG, Mbappe has amassed an impressive collection of domestic trophies, including six Ligue 1 titles and two League Cups. A victory against Lyon would add a fourth French Cup medal to his collection. Yet, his time at the Parc des Princes has been overshadowed by the elusive Champions League title, despite his 42 goals in 64 appearances in Europe's premier competition. PSG's closest attempt came in the 2020 final, a narrow 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich amid the pandemic.
As Mbappe prepares for what is widely speculated to be a move to Real Madrid, he aims to achieve the Champions League success that eluded him in Paris. His legacy in French football is already cemented, having burst onto the scene as a teenager with Monaco's 2017 Ligue 1-winning squad and evolving into a national icon, akin to legends like Michel Platini, Zinedine Zidane, and Thierry Henry.
Mbappe's French Cup finals have been eventful, marked by both triumph and adversity. He was sent off in the 2019 final loss to Rennes and injured early in the 2020 final win over Saint-Etienne. However, he is known for rising to the occasion, as evidenced by his hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina.
Facing Lyon, who have undergone a remarkable resurgence under Pierre Sage, will not be straightforward for PSG. Lyon's dramatic climb from the bottom of the league in December to European qualification adds intrigue to this encounter. Additionally, the final's venue, the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, signifies a departure from tradition, necessitated by the Stade de France's requisitioning for the upcoming Olympics.
As Mbappe steps onto the pitch for his final bow with PSG, the stakes are high, and the anticipation palpable. Will he sign off with one last piece of silverware, or will Lyon spoil his Parisian farewell?
