Why rivals preferred facing PSG of Lionel Messi, Neymar & Kylian Mbappe - with Ligue 1 opponent admitting he has no answer to class of 2025

Transfer records were smashed in the summer of 2017 when Brazilian icon Neymar made his way to Parc des Princes for €222 million (£194m/$258m). He was joined in the French capital by World Cup-winning France international Mbappe. Four years later, having been unable to agree a contract extension at Barcelona, Messi made his way to Paris.

Domestic dominance was enjoyed while fielding the most fearsome of attacking units, but Champions League glory remained elusive. Messi and Neymar departed in 2023, with the former heading to MLS with Inter Miami and the latter offloaded to the Saudi Pro League. Mbappe left as a free agent in 2024 when linking up with La Liga giants Real Madrid.

Within 12 months of that exciting trio being completely broken up, as PSG entered a bold new era, they captured their first Champions League crown. Luis Enrique is credited with making the Parisian outfit a side that no longer relies on individuals - although Ousmane Dembele has gone on to become a Ballon d’Or winner.

Roy admits that PSG are now almost impossible to face, telling reporters on the back of Brest’s 3-0 defeat to the Ligue 1 leaders: “I can assure you it’s much harder to face PSG than to go to the dentist. And it hurts a lot more. Because when I see my players chasing the ball, I’m running with them, suffering with them.

“Three or four years ago, when we played against PSG, I used to tell my players: There are great individual talents, we’ll need to be careful, but at any moment, we can compete. Today, while preparing, I kept asking myself for a long time: ‘What can I possibly say to make them believe we can compete?'”

PSG have been quick to talk up their “stronger together” mentality since bidding farewell to all-time greats - including their record goalscorer. Club chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi said in the summer of 2024, before a historic run towards European glory began: “This is a new era for us; we are very grateful to Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe for everything they have given to the club. With all due respect to them and for what they have done for the club, I wish them the best in their new challenges; but as a club, the star is the collective. PSG is focusing on the collective, on having a great team with a great coach, which we have.”

Famous PSG supporter Nicolas Sarkozy echoed those sentiments early on in the 2024-25 campaign, with it clear that Luis Enrique’s side were capable of doing something special after shifting focus away from the trio of global superstars that once lead their line.

The former French president said: “The era of PSG with stars was undoubtedly necessary to create an international brand image. And I won't forget the joy of having seen Ibrahimovic, Neymar, Messi, Beckham, Mbappe play... It was exceptional. It was probably time to remind people that team play takes precedence over the quality of a player. That's the exact philosophy of the current coach.”

Luis Enrique won three major trophies with PSG last season, including their first Champions League crown. They suffered defeat to Chelsea in the Club World Cup final, missing out on more major silverware there, but are expected to be competitive on multiple fronts again this term.

Messi, Neymar and Mbappe are still going strong elsewhere, with it possible that Argentine and Brazilian icons will soon be reunited in MLS - with Neymar seeing a move to Inter Miami speculated on as he approaches the end of his contract back at boyhood club Santos.