That fell apart quickly. Despite being the world’s most expensive and talent team, the Galácticos era of PSG is quickly approaching its end as the three-headed monster trio of Leo Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar are all set to leave.
This is why you don’t buy Galácticos.
PSG is set to undergo a major cultural revolution as they not only are breaking up their Galácticos super team, but they also are destroying the trio of Leo Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe to help this revolution along even faster. And, even though it’s tough to sell all of these players, it’s the best move.
It’s hard to argue that anyone thought this team would not fail at some point and dramatically break apart in stunning, disjointed fashion, but it’s still crazy to watch it happen in real time. So, for those who don’t know what has happened over the summer (and the last few days especially), PSG has pretty much abandoned the French Galácticos era of their football team by getting rid of Leo Messi, Kylian Mbappe, AND Neymar in the same summer.
And, in the last few days, PSG’s willingness to sell Neymar for as little as $50M-$80M and fervor to offload Kylian Mbappe prior to the Summer Transfer Deadline Day window has been made perfectly clear with the team tearing down Mbappe and Neymar branding and phasing out Mbappe from the 1st team.
Now, yes, the French Galácticos have had some success in the last six seasons with Mbappe and Neymar (and the last two with Messi-Neymar-Mbappe) as the focal points of the offense with PSG winning 5 La Liga titles, 5 Trophes Des Champions, 3 Coup De Frances, and 2 Coup De La Ligue (now defunct) and have DOMINATED French domestic football.
Yet, just like the Real Madrid Galácticos that so epically failed to deliver for Los Merengues all those years ago, the French Galácticos have failed to achieve the one target all these teams’ desire: winning the Champions League Final.
PSG came so close four years ago when Neymar and Mbappe nearly delivered PSG to the promise land yet came up short against an all-conquering Bayern side 1-0 in the 2020 Champions League Final.
And they really have spiraled off a cliff in the years since as they lost the ensuing Ligue 1 season to OGC Nice, they haven’t made it out of the Round of 16 in the Coup De Frances in the last two seasons, they lost the 2021 Trophes De Champions Final, and they haven’t reached the Champions League Final again.
Oh, and bringing in Leo Messi two seasons ago had absolutely no effect on the overall growth of this team, and actually seemed to destroy any momentum they built. So, with Neymar getting older and more injury prone and Messi obviously wanting to be anywhere but in Paris, it makes perfect sense why PSG was willing to let Messi walk as a free agent and sell Neymar for less than 40% of what they bought him for in their still-standing world-record $222M transfer fee in 2017.
What doesn’t make as much sense is the club’s burning need to sell Kylian Mbappe as even though he has refused all contract renewals beyond this season, he was still willing to play out THE CONTRACT PSG GAVE HIM for this final year.
But I guess PSG just really wants out of this French Galácticos era as quickly as possible as getting rid of the ENTIRE FRONT THREE for the last two seasons that won two Ligue 1 titles is a dramatic move for any club, let alone one as big and noteworthy as PSG.
Still, as I said, this is the best possible decision PSG could make as they DESPERATLY NEED a cultural revolution. FAST!
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