Kimpembe, having left PSG, still lifts the Champions League trophy, while Mbappe remains empty-handed.

PSG successfully retained the Champions League championship, and Presnel Kimpembe was asked by his teammates to raise the cup during the celebration. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe remains without European triumph.

When Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their Champions League title by defeating Arsenal in the final in Budapest, one of the most emotional moments did not belong to the heroes on the pitch, but to Presnel Kimpembe.

The French center-back was no longer part of PSG's playing plans this season due to persistent injuries. He did not even play in the final and spent most of the season on the sidelines. However, when the final whistle sounded, the PSG players actively brought Kimpembe to the center of the celebration, lifting the prestigious Champions League trophy together.

That was a special reward for an icon of the Parc des Princes. Having come through PSG's own academy, Kimpembe has been with the senior squad since 2014 and has witnessed all the club's ups and downs over more than a decade. He was a key figure in their Ligue 1 triumphs, but also experienced considerable heartbreak on the European stage.

Therefore, Kimpembe's act of lifting the Champions League trophy for the second straight year with PSG holds special significance. Even though he no longer plays a key role on the field, he is still regarded as an integral part of the history of the French capital club.

Notably, that moment creates a fascinating contrast with Kylian Mbappe. The star once regarded as PSG's greatest icon left the club to join Real Madrid, driven by the dream of winning the Champions League. However, while PSG have won the title in the two most recent seasons since his departure, Mbappe has yet to get his hands on the most prestigious club trophy in Europe.

Kimpembe, who hardly played and was no longer a regular option for the team, was on the podium to receive the trophy. Meanwhile, Mbappe, the player who was built as the centerpiece of PSG's project for many years, is still waiting for the title he desires most.

Before the final, Kimpembe was chosen by UEFA as a special ambassador to bring the Champions League trophy onto the pitch. And just a few hours later, he was given the chance by his former teammates to lift that same trophy. A moving image, demonstrating that in football, sometimes loyalty and long-term dedication can be rewarded in the most special way.