'No oversized egos' - Emmanuel Petit praises Luis Enrique

Emmanuel Petit has praised Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique, saying the French champions are a team with “no oversized egos” after Kylian Mbappe’s exit.

PSG are believed to have put Mbappe’s exit behind them as Enrique is credited for the Ligue 1 champions’ ‘remarkable’ transformation with life after the France star.

The former Arsenal and France World Cup winner gave his thoughts on Paris Saint-Germain while speaking with William Hill Vegas.

The former Chelsea star commended Luis Enrique for creating a stronger side without Mbappe that “plays for each other, not for the headlines”.

He added: “The true star is the team.”

Since Mbappe departed for Real Madrid last summer, PSG have “turned a page”, according to Petit.

He admitted that he now supports the club’s success after years of uncertainty and without precise focus on the star-studded project.

Les Parisiens are gunning for an undefeated Ligue 1 season, having already wrapped up the title, and are still bearing down on an elusive first Champions League triumph – this was done without “high-profile” names in the squad.

Luis Enrique has guided PSG to Ligue 1 triumph without a lose so far, with 6 games to go (Image credit: Getty Images)

Petit said: “In past seasons, the Paris Saint-Germain project revolved around individual stars, not the collective.

“The focus was on big names — players who at times seemed bigger than the club itself.

“Kylian Mbappe was the last of those icons — and arguably the biggest of them all. With his departure, PSG has turned a page.

“Today, there are no oversized egos, no global megastars dominating the spotlight. The true star is the team — and at the heart of it all is Luis Enrique.

“He’s done something remarkable. At first, it was hard to grasp what he was building. But now, it’s clear: he’s created a side that plays for each other, not for the headlines.”

He continued: “Modern football has evolved, and this version of Paris Saint-Germain is proof of that evolution.

“There are top players, yes — but no divas. No distractions. Just football. I’ll be honest: I was never a PSG supporter. I didn’t connect with the project they pushed for years — buying the best players in every position, hoping money would win titles.

“History has shown us that money helps, but it doesn’t guarantee success. Egos often got in the way, both in the dressing room and on the pitch. But now, watching PSG is a joy.

“I find myself almost becoming a fan — something I never thought I’d say. I used to feel indifferent whether they won or lost in Ligue 1. Now, I actually want them to win because they give me pride. They give me pleasure.”

Enrique’s men have one foot in the Champions League semi-finals, having clinched a vital 3-1 home win against English counterparts Aston Villa in the first-leg of the quarter final.

The Parisians will hope to build on their impressive win when they travel to England for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Tuesday.

Villa Park isn’t an easy place to go, but having knocked out Liverpool at Anfield already in this season’s competition, PSG will be motivated to replicate their spirited performance at Anfield in pursuit of European glory.