Kimpembe Reflects On PSG Exit, Says He Has ‘No Regrets’ Over Qatar Move

‎World Cup winner with France in 2018 and European champion with PSG in 2025, Presnel Kimpembe has begun a new chapter at Qatar Sports Club.

‎During Flashscore’s recent visit to the Qatar Stars League, the defender opened up about adapting to life in Doha.

‎He also shared his thoughts on Ousmane Dembélé’s Ballon d’Or triumph and his dream of returning for next summer’s World Cup.

‎How is your acclimatisation going in Qatar, just a few weeks after your arrival?

‎”Everything’s going well, and I’m very happy to be here. At the moment, everything’s going well, both with the team and personally.”

‎Why did you sign for Qatar SC?

‎”I had the opportunity to come here, and I liked the setting and the sporting aspect too. I needed to come here to rediscover my form and get some playing time.”

‎Are there any differences with Europe?

‎”There’s no doubt that it’s a big change between the European culture and that of Qatar. For me, it doesn’t change much because I’ve already travelled here several times and I know the city and the country. Everything’s going well.”

‎Do you regret not finishing your career at PSG?

‎”No, I don’t have any regrets. I’m going through life as I should, step by step. I’m very happy to be here today.

‎”I did everything I had to do with PSG, and I have no regrets. I’ve won everything. Thanks be to God, I’m very happy. We keep going, life doesn’t stop.”

‎Do you think you’ll ever come back to PSG, as a coach or in another role?

‎”Why not, one day, who knows? I don’t see myself as a coach in the future, at least that’s not one of my goals, but you never know what tomorrow will bring.”

‎How did it feel to close a 20-year history with PSG, especially by winning the Champions League?

‎”It was a very special moment. We managed to win this Champions League; it was the Holy Grail, the best moment of my career at PSG. It’s a great achievement. We’re all very happy that it happened like that.”

‎You were injured for a long time. Were you afraid you wouldn’t be able to come back?

‎”I’m a fighter, a warrior, and I have a clear head. If it had been a problem to come back, I would have stopped my career at that point. That wasn’t the case despite the major injuries I suffered.

‎”Even if it took two, two-and-a-half years to come back, in my mind, I was always prepared to fight to be able to come back.”

‎How is your return to the pitch going?

‎”I’ve played two 90-minute matches in a row. That also shows that physically, I’m feeling very well. I hope things will continue in the same vein.”

‎Have you considered continuing your career in Ligue 1, other than with PSG?

‎”No, no, no! For me, it was impossible to play anywhere else in France other than PSG. That’s also one of the reasons why I came to play here, because I didn’t want to have to play against my training club.

‎”It would have been a big challenge and a big personal battle. I didn’t want it to come to that because, emotionally, it would have done something to me.

‎Ousmane Dembele won the Ballon d’Or: what do you think of his victory?

‎”For me, it was well deserved. I’m happy because he’s a friend, a PSG player, and a Frenchman. So I’m very happy for him. We know Ousmane, he’s a simple guy in everyday life, he has his own personality, and he’s very endearing.

‎”In the world of football, we all know his qualities.”

‎In your opinion, who could be the next to lift the Ballon d’Or in this PSG team?

‎”There are a lot of candidates. At PSG, everyone has the quality to win it. I’m not naming names, but it’s something that’s played out over a season, and everyone is capable of having a dream season. With the team that PSG have today, three-quarters of the players can win the Ballon d’Or.”

‎Speaking of the French national team, you were world champions in 2018, but you didn’t take part in the 2022 World Cup. Is 2026 a goal for you?

‎”Of course it is. As long as I’m a footballer, I’ll have goals, even if it’s been complicated for me with my long-term absence. You never know what tomorrow will bring, so you always have to believe. It’s going to be very complicated, but why not?”

‎Is France the favourite to win the 2026 World Cup?

‎”I have no idea, there are some big teams and you have to have the respect to say so and know it. A World Cup is never simple.

‎”There will be all the best countries, and I hope that France can win another World Cup, even if it won’t be easy, because there are a lot of contenders for the title.”