Bolstered by Neymar, Mbappe, PSG Finally Ready to Make a Mark in Europe

Paris Saint-Germain kicks off their latest bid for the UEFA Champions League glory at Celtic this evening bolstered by the big-money signings of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

The French giants will be hoping that their lavish close-season spending can help finally achieve their Qatari owners’ dream of lifting the European Cup.

PSG responded to last season’s disappointments of losing the Ligue 1 title to Monaco and their stunning Champions League last-16 defeat at Barcelona, by smashing the world record transfer fee with the 222 million-euro ($267m) signing of Neymar from Barca.

While Qatar’s billions produced four consecutive French titles from 2013-2016, that form has yet to translate to European competition.

PSG’s last, and only, Champions League semifinal appearance was in 1995, with four straight last-eight exits followed by the harrowing 6-1 second-leg loss at the Camp Nou earlier this year, having beaten Barca 4-0 in the first game.

But with the additions of Neymar and Mbappe, hopes are high that Unai Emery’s men can put their continental troubles to bed.

“We are more than ready for the Champions League,” said defender Thomas Meunier after a 5-1 thrashing of Metz on Friday.

“We are a very good group, we can see that on the bench today with all the options we have.

“Every footballer plays for the Champions League, and with the team we have this year, we must show the world that we want to go further than in previous years.”

Teenage sensation Mbappe joined from Monaco on deadline day on a season-long loan, with an option to buy for a fee that could reach a staggering 180 million euros.

“It’s too early to say (how far we can go), we haven’t even played yet,” said Mbappe, who scored on his debut against Metz.