In Doha, Presnel Kimpembe is rebuilding and reinventing himself. Now playing for Qatar Sports Club, the French international defender is gradually returning to competition after a long absence and discovering a new football culture, far from Paris but without ever turning his back on his roots. In a lengthy interview with Foot Mercato , who was on site at his new club's training center, the former PSG vice-captain discusses in detail his daily life in Qatar, his adaptation to the local league, and the steps of his return to the highest level. He also opens up about his departure from Paris Saint-Germain , the European chapter closed with the Champions League victory, as well as his role as a mentor to the Parisian youth academy players, a legacy he proudly embraces.
"I was pleasantly surprised by the level of the QSL."
Foot Mercato: How are you feeling in Qatar since signing with Qatar SC?
Presnel Kimpembe: Fantastic, everything's great. I'm very happy to be here. My integration has gone smoothly. I'm lucky to have a club and teammates who have welcomed me so warmly. It feels a little strange for me since it's the first time I've left Paris, so it's quite special. I feel great.
FM: From a more personal point of view, do you enjoy your daily life in Doha?
PK: It's going well. I'm lucky to have seen my children recently since it's the school holidays. We're still close, it's necessary, it's important. I feel good in this beautiful city. I already knew it before because I've had the chance to come here several times in the past, whether with PSG or on vacation. Everything is going very well.
FM: How would you analyze the level of the Qatari league? In Europe, many people criticize it, but few actually watch it.
PK: Now that I'm playing in the league, I have my own opinion. I'd been watching the league from time to time, from a distance. Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised because the level is what it is. It's not the same level as in Europe, that's for sure. But I think the league is developing, that the league is making an effort to attract top players and create a competitive league. We've seen it, and I've seen it firsthand. I've seen that it's not easy every weekend. It's a real battle. And frankly, we're enjoying it.
FM: Tell us a bit about the behind-the-scenes story of your departure from Paris Saint-Germain. How did the discussions with the management go?
PK: We won't go into details (he laughs), but it was a rather unusual moment because it was the first time I'd really entered into such intense negotiations with the club. I still had a year left on my contract, and I had the option of staying in Paris, as I've already mentioned. Everything was going well with PSG. I had no problems with them. My only desire was to be able to play football again, to rediscover my enjoyment of the game. Let's just say I was thinking a little more about myself than anything else, whether it was my family or anything else.
FM: Why did you choose Qatar?
PK: I chose to come here. I also had a few offers in Europe, not many, because I was coming out of a very difficult situation for me personally. I chose to come here because it's a new challenge. I spent my whole life in Paris. I was lucky enough to grow up in a fantastic club alongside the best players. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone, find a new challenge, and have the chance to play as much as possible. Today, that's happened, and I'm very happy about it.
FM: After several injuries and several rehabilitations, how do you feel physically today?
PK: I don't think I even need to answer the question. Just the fact that I'm playing 90-minute matches regularly speaks for itself. Physically, I feel good. I was lucky enough to speak with the coach and the staff when I arrived. I asked them to give me two weeks of preparation to really get back in shape and to acclimatize to the temperature, because it's not easy when you first arrive. When I arrived, it was maybe 48-50 degrees Celsius. The humidity is different too. We train in the late afternoon. Everything is in place to help us perform at our best. Despite the heat, I've been put in the right conditions.
" The pressure in Paris is not the same ."
FM: Let's go back to that evening of May 31, 2025, and that Champions League victory. As someone who grew up with the club, what did you feel at the final whistle?
PK: These are pretty indescribable emotions. I was developed at the club. I've spent my whole life here, I fought for this for several years. We had setbacks, we fell, we got back up. We showed character. It wasn't easy. As I've always said, the pressure in Paris isn't the same as at other clubs. I'd rather win one in Paris than five at Real Madrid or elsewhere, with all due respect, of course. With all due respect to all the clubs that have won it, it's very special in Paris. Everyone waited for this for several years. We fought hard to succeed. It was something very complicated. We saw that against Manchester United, Manchester City, or Bayern Munich in the final. These were always quite complex moments. Being able to reach the Holy Grail was an incredible liberation.
FM: What differences do you see between the PSG of the past and this new PSG which seems untouchable?
PK: Of course there's been a change, otherwise the club wouldn't be where it is today. There's been a real change. I was lucky enough to be there at the beginning of the project, so to speak. Not at the end, because it will never be the end. There will always be renewal. Besides, the PSG of the past is incomparable, because today's football isn't the same as yesterday's or tomorrow's. But as I've always said, times change. I was fortunate enough to play alongside all those players. I'm not going to repeat the names because there were so many. I learned from everyone. Today, the club has truly refocused on collective football and on the fact that it's an institution where no one is above the club. In the past, it's true that we had some strong individual players. Today, the recruitment that has taken place and the arrival of Luis Enrique have brought a new dynamic. Everyone has contributed. I've only had great coaches at PSG
FM: Ousmane Dembélé won his Ballon d'Or. Have you managed to see him or speak to him since the ceremony?
PK: I spoke to him on the phone. He also came here to Doha (for his rehabilitation). I was very happy for him. Honestly, it was a source of pride. He deserved it. And there you have it, seeing a Paris Saint-Germain player, and a French one at that, win the Ballon d'Or, it's a real credit to him, and I think everyone was genuinely happy for him. You could see that in the videos, with all the messages he received on social media, etc. And really, even when you see him speak, he's someone who doesn't show his emotions too much. So seeing him cry on stage shows all the energy and all the effort he had to give to win that Ballon d'Or.
FM: Luis Enrique is increasingly giving opportunities to PSG's youth academy players. After Senny Mayulu and Ibrahim Mbaye, it's now Quentin Ndjantou and Mathis Jangeal's turn to make some appearances in the first team. That must please you as a former mentor to these young players?
PK: That's already a good start; it means Luis Campos actually listens to me a little when I whisper a couple of names in his ear. I'm very proud for the club and also for them personally because they're good guys and good young players. They're young guys who listen, and these days, it's not enough to just have talent to succeed and take the next step. You have to be intelligent, you have to listen, you have to think, you have to be well-rounded, above all. You also have to have a good support system, keep working, and never give up. That's what these young players are doing today. I know Senny (Mayulu), Ibé (Mbaye), and Warren (Zaïre-Emery) a bit better than Quentin (Ndjantou) or Mathis (Jangeal), for example.
FM: Despite your move to Qatar, are you still in contact with them?
PK: I still talk to them. I had this big brother role, and you could say I was a bit of a role model, because I've been there, I know how it works, and I've always advised them to be careful: what you can do, what you can't do, do this, do that. I've always had that role with them, both on and off the pitch. For example, sometimes they might call me if it has nothing to do with football, to ask for advice or just chat. I know it helps them sometimes. Personally, that's what I enjoy too. Having a different role and being there for the academy or the youth teams is what's always been important to me. I grew up, I learned. I didn't necessarily have someone with me back then. I know that for them, it can only be a plus.
FM: You experienced a sudden and almost unexpected rise to prominence early in your career. You were less in the spotlight than Kingsley Coman, Alphonse Areola, Mike Maignan, or Adrien Rabiot. You even started your international career with the DR Congo U20 team. What advice would you give to a young player?
PK: Work, rigor, it's discipline. Even when you don't like it, you have to do it, you have to work, you have to learn. You always have to give your best, you have to listen. There are always little details that will make the difference, even if you don't see it right away. It's years of work and sacrifice. I think people don't quite grasp that. It's never easy when you play on a team or in a club and you're not in the spotlight. You're always either in the shadows or a team player. I've always liked this position because I don't need to be in the spotlight. I'm a man of duty, a hard worker, and I know I sacrifice myself for the team. Having this role has never been a problem for me. I've always been a hard worker. And that's what has allowed me to be where I am today.
FM: To end our interview on a lighter note, if I had to ask you to pick a legendary Paris Saint-Germain XI, who would you include?
PK: For every position? That's really tough. Either I make a youth academy team, or I make a truly legendary team. Okay, let's make a youth academy team like this, we don't want to upset everyone. In goal, I'd put Mike Maignan, on the right, I'd put Youssouf Sabaly, in the center, I'd put Mamadou Sakho and myself. On the left, Ferland Mendy. I'm talking a bit more about my generation because there are a lot of players who've come through. In midfield, I'd put Adrien Rabiot, Hervin Ongenda, and Christopher Nkunku. On the left, Kingsley Coman, on the right, I'd put Jean-Kévin Augustin, and up front, I'd put Moussa Dembélé.
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