When Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) assembled the trio of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi in August 2021, they seemed closer than ever to taking the throne in Europe.
It cost PSG, 222 million euros (about $243.8 million) to acquire Neymar in 2017 and 180 million euros (about $197.7 million) to land Mbappe in 2018. Messi joined in 2021 as a free agent, but not for free.
The three seem to be leaving the Parc des Princes in reverse of that order. Messi already departed for Miami Inter, again as a free agent. It's only a matter of time for Mbappe to join another club after his fallout with the management. Now, according to French newspaper L'Equipe, Neymar wants out of PSG as well.
What exactly has PSG achieved with the hundreds of millions they spent on the three in the past two years? What will they lose if they are all gone this summer?
Neymar of Paris Saint-Germain looks on in the pre-season friendly against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at the Asiad Main Stadium in Busan, South Korea, August 3, 2023. /CFP
Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain looks on in the Ligue 1 game against Clermont Foot 63 at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France, June 3, 2023. /CFP
Kkylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain looks on in the Ligue 1 game against Strasbourg at Stade de la Meinau stadium in Strasbourg, France, May 27, 2023. /CFP
Host: Li Xiang
Guest: Josh McNally
Cover designer: Feng Yuan