Luis Enrique had been around the press-conference block far too many times to be drawn into saying anything silly.
The former Barcelona and Spain boss led Paris Saint-Germain to a dominant 2024/25 season, with Ligue 1 and Coupe de France glory followed by the holy grail — a maiden UEFA Champions League title courtesy of a 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in Munich.
It was notable that PSG finally scaled the mountain in Europe after Kylian Mbappe followed Neymar and Lionel Messi through the Parc des Princes exit door.
Luis Enrique oversaw Mbappe’s final season at PSG before the club’s all-time leading scorer joined Real Madrid on a free transfer. Asked before the FIFA Club World Cup semifinal between the two sides, Luis Enrique would not entertain a question over whether his team is better now that Mbappe has gone.
“This is a question about the past and I’m not here to talk about the past, I’m only thinking about the future,” he replied.
One incident from Luis Enrique and Kylian Mbappe’s past became a viral online sensation and informs most perceptions around their player-coach relationship.
MORE: Real Madrid vs. PSG head to head record, history, results of all matches between UEFA giants over the years
Luis Enrique and Kylian Mbappe video: What PSG coach said in ‘Michael Jordan’ tactics talk?
Speaking to Mbappe alone ahead of the second leg of PSG’s Champions League quarterfinal against Barcelona, Luis Enrique passionately implored the forward to improve his pressing and set an example to his team-mates out of possession.
Barcelona had won a thrilling first leg at the Parc des Princes 3-2, while the conversation made it clear that Luis Enrique was well aware that Mbappe would leave Paris at the end of the season. The tactical pep talk featured in the documentary profiling Luis Enrique, No Teneis Ni Puta Idea, that was released in September 2024.
I read that you liked Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan would grab his teammates by the balls and defend like a son of a b—-. You have to set that example first as a person and as a player.
When pressing, you’ll have [Pau] Cubarsi and you’ll be the one marking Cubarsi, Cubarsi and [Marc-Andre] Ter Stegen. You will spend the whole game putting pressure on Cubarsi, not letting him advance, and pressing Ter Stegen so he has to play quickly. And getting back quickly. For what? To be a leader. Because you think like you just have to score goals.
You’re a phenomenon, a world-class player. Not a doubt. But that’s not enough for me. A true leader is someone who, when you can’t help us with goals, because the other day you had two high-level players against you, you help us in everything that matters. You take charge and say, ‘Guys! The defensive line, stay there, all four. I’m going to take my two teammates…’
Because when you press alone, it’s f—— amazing, but if you also take Ousmane [Dembele] and [Randal] Kolo Muani, [Bradley] Barcola or [Goncalo] Ramos or Marco Asensio and set yourself as an example to press, you know what we have? A f—— machine of a team.
That’s what I want to see you do as a leader here. In the two months you have left, I want to see you leave through the front door, Kiki, no doubt. But you have to earn it. And you have to earn it not by attacking. Attacking, I already know you are a god. Attacking, there is no one like you, I already know. But the day you attack [and] you have to be the best player in history defending — that’s a leader. That’s Michael Jordan.
PSG went on to win the return game 4-1, with Mbappe scoring twice. However, they lost 1-0 in both legs of their semifinal against Borussia Dortmund.
What trophies did Luis Enrique and Kylian Mbappe win together?
Although they fell short in their pursuit of European glory, Luis Enrique and Mbappe swept the board domestically in their sole season together at PSG.
Mbappe was the top scorer in Ligue 1 with 27 goals as PSG retained the title. His eight goals also put him top of the charts in the Coupe de France, where efforts from Ousmane Dembele and Fabian Ruiz saw off Lyon 2-1 in the final.
A 2-0 win over Toulouse, rounded off by Mbappe, secured the Trophee des Champions.
What have Luis Enrique and Mbappe said about one another?
Mbappe has largely kept his counsel since leaving Paris Saint-Germain, although the fact that he remains embroiled in litigation with his former club speaks volumes.
On Luis Enrique’s part, his remarks before the Club World Cup semifinal were a row back on his previously stated position that PSG would improve without Mbappe.
After it became clear his star attacker was leaving, Luis Enrique told reporters: “Next year we’ll be better, without doubt. When a player goes where he wants, that means there are parts of our play that I don’t control. And next year I am going to control all of them. Without exception.”
He picked up on this theme again in February as PSG began to wind up for their successful treble assault.
“I was brave when I told you last season that we would have a better team in attack and defence,” he said. “I continue to say that and the numbers are there to show it.”
