Presnel Kimpembe described himself as a “warrior” after he returned his long-awaited Paris Saint-Germain to the Coupe de France on Tuesday, after two years injured.
Kimpembe came off the couch late when PSG went to the quarterfinals with a comfortable 2-0 win over the third Le Mans, via goals from Desire Done and Bradley Barcola.
The center-back for the last time on February 26, 2023, when he sustained a serious knee injury in a 4-3 victory over Lille, achieved with a stop-time free kick by Lionel Messi.
Kimpembe has undergone two operations on the injury, the most recent one who took place at the end of 2023, but Luis Enrique had confirmed before Tuesday's game that he would return.
After the game with Bein Sports, the French international said: “It was not an easy match.
“We know that the Coupe de France is important to us. It is a difficult competition; we have seen that with other Ligue 1 clubs that went out.
“We have succeeded in being eligible for the quarterfinals tonight and that is nothing but positive.
“Of course there is a lot of emotion. After almost two years out, it makes me happy, it's crazy. I'm a warrior, a soldier.
“There is a mix of many feelings and to be honest, I just feel proud to wear this shirt with this badge again, and to get the chance to make the best of it with my teammates.”
Glad to see you again on the field! pic.twitter.com/d4lrdebupf
-Paris Saint-Germain (@psg_englait) 4 February 2025
PSG, the defensive champions, his strong favorites to win the Coupe de France for a record-expanding 16th time.
The competition of this season has already had various disturbances, including Lyon going to the fifth level Bourgoin-Jallieu and Lille losses of Dunkerque on penalties, so Luis Enrique was delighted to avoid a similar fate.
“It was a typical Coupe de France competition. Dangerous, unpredictable. There are many things that you can't control. But I think we did well,” said the Spaniard.
“We are in the quarterfinals and we were able to give the players a few minutes and rest, so we have to be happy.
“Presnel is the big news. I think he is happy. It's a special moment for him, and together it is easier.”
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