Presnel Kimpembe finally stepped back onto the pitch, marking the end of a grueling two-year injury battle as Paris Saint-Germain secured a 2-0 Coupe de France win over Le Mans.
The 29-year-old defender, sidelined since February 2023 due to an Achilles tendon injury that required two surgeries, made his long-awaited return late in the match.
Kimpembe had been included in several matchday squads, dating back to November 2024, but had yet to feature in a game. That changed on Tuesday night when Luis Enrique gave him the nod in the final 10 minutes, allowing him to taste competitive football once again.
Le Parisien reported before the game that Kimpembe could make his much-anticipated return if circumstances allowed. With PSG comfortably ahead, Enrique seized the moment to reintroduce the centre-back.
“It has been a while since I experienced emotions like that. I am very happy to make my return and to be able to help the team,” Kimpembe told beIN Sport. “I am a warrior, a soldier, and I have a lot of emotion tonight. After two years away, it is mad.”
