Presnel Kimpembe Opens Up: “I Carried My Pain for Three Years” as Former PSG Favourite Explains His Summer Exit

For Paris Saint-Germain fans, Presnel Kimpembe will always be remembered as one of their own – a player who rose through the club’s youth system, broke into the first team, and even wore the captain’s armband. But when the 2025 summer transfer window opened, the 30-year-old centre-back made a surprising choice: he walked away from the newly-crowned Champions League winners to sign for Qatar SC.

Now, in an honest and emotional interview on Canal+’s Clique, Kimpembe has finally opened up about his decision to leave the club and the hidden struggle that shaped the past three years of his career.

Kimpembe on the Pain Behind His PSG Departure

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Kimpembe didn’t sugarcoat the experience. “I dragged my pain out for two and a half to three years. I suffered a lot,” he admitted. The French defender revealed that the first signs of his long-term injury surfaced just before the 2022 World Cup – a cruel twist of fate that not only ruled him out of representing France on the biggest stage but also kept him sidelined for nearly two full seasons.

When asked why he left PSG, his answer was simple and heartfelt: “Everything happened quickly. I spoke with the club about my situation and how we could move forward. I knew there would be no war with Paris. There was never a problem. I simply want to play. I spoke with the coach [Luis Enrique] and the president [Nasser Al-Khelaifi]. I explained to them that I couldn’t do a third year like that. They want to see me play. And I want to play football again.”

For Kimpembe, it wasn’t about money or prestige – it was about rediscovering the joy of playing the game that made him a star in the first place.

A PSG Career Full of Pride

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Kimpembe leaves PSG as a true club servant, having made 241 appearances in all competitions. From Ligue 1 titles to domestic cups, he has seen and done it all in Paris, even lifting trophies alongside the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Neymar, and Lionel Messi.

But his absence during PSG’s historic Champions League triumph last season must have been bittersweet. While he celebrated his teammates’ success, he knew he was no longer part of the club’s immediate plans. The emergence of Milan Skriniar and Lucas Hernández as a formidable centre-back pairing made minutes hard to come by, even as Kimpembe worked tirelessly to regain full fitness.

The Mental Battle of a Two-Year Layoff

Footballers often talk about injuries as physical obstacles, but Kimpembe’s words shed light on the mental toll. Spending two years on the sidelines, watching your teammates play week in and week out, can be devastating for a competitor.

“It’s not easy to come to the training ground every day, knowing you can’t help your team,” Kimpembe reflected. “I had to fight not only with my body but with my mind. There were days I asked myself if I would ever come back.”

This internal battle likely played a big part in his decision to seek a fresh start in a less demanding league, where he can rebuild confidence and rhythm without the relentless pressure of European football.

Life After PSG: A New Chapter in Qatar

Kimpembe signed a one-year deal with Qatar SC, a club looking to establish itself as a serious contender in the Qatar Stars League. His debut came on September 21, when he featured in an eight-minute cameo against Al-Shahania SC. While it was only a brief appearance, it marked the end of a long road back for the 2018 World Cup winner.

Fans of Qatar SC can expect to see more of him soon, with the club’s next match scheduled for September 27 against Al-Shamal. If his fitness continues to improve, Kimpembe could earn a start and begin to build a leadership role within the squad.

What This Means for PSG

For PSG, Kimpembe’s departure was handled with respect on both sides. The club released a touching farewell message thanking him for his years of service, and fans responded with warmth rather than frustration. It was clear that this was not a player forced out, but rather one who made a personal decision for the sake of his career and well-being.

Luis Enrique now moves forward with a slightly leaner defensive unit, but one that remains stacked with quality. Skriniar, Hernández, and Marquinhos will continue to be the pillars of PSG’s backline as they chase a repeat of last season’s European glory.

“I Just Want to Play”

Kimpembe’s words cut to the heart of why this move feels right for him. At 30, he still has plenty of football left to give, but after three years of battling pain and sitting out, he needed a change of scenery to rediscover his passion for the game.

For PSG fans, this is not a bitter goodbye – it is a chance to see a homegrown talent find happiness again on the pitch. And who knows? If Kimpembe shines in Qatar and proves his fitness, a return to European football one day might not be out of the question.