Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) capped off their season with a domestic double after defeating Lyon 2-1 in the French Cup final on Saturday. However, the club faces a significant challenge as they prepare for next season, particularly with the departure of star player Kylian Mbappe. The France captain, who has been with PSG for seven years, did not score in his final game despite his record tally of 256 goals for the club. Instead, Ousmane Dembele and Fabian Ruiz found the net to secure the victory.

PSG's win against Lyon, a team that showed remarkable improvement in the second half of the season, underscores their financial dominance in French football. According to the DNCG, the financial watchdog for professional clubs in France, PSG's income for the 2022/23 season was approximately equal to that of the next five richest clubs combined (Marseille, Lyon, Monaco, Rennes, and Lille).

Despite their domestic success, PSG's ultimate goal has been to win the Champions League, a feat they have not achieved despite having a lineup of superstars over the years, including Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Coach Luis Enrique is aware of the challenges ahead as the team seeks to build a squad capable of winning the Champions League without Mbappe.

Enrique acknowledged that replacing Mbappe with a single player is impossible and emphasized the need for a team effort and multiple new signings to fill the void. Potential targets for PSG could include big names like Victor Osimhen or Rafael Leao, but the club might also consider a different strategy to avoid past mistakes made by clubs like Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur when they lost their star players.

"A great challenge for any player who might want to come here is that we want to make history," Luis Enrique said, expressing confidence that PSG will eventually win the Champions League. He emphasized the need for a well-rounded team and the club's commitment to achieving this goal.

PSG's preparations for next season include a tour of China and playing Monaco in the French season-opening Champions Trophy in early August. The new Ligue 1 season starts on August 16, with the Champions League kicking off in mid-September. Enrique highlighted the club's ongoing efforts to improve the squad and expressed optimism about the club's future.

While PSG looks forward to building a stronger team, the rest of French football faces various challenges. Lyon aims to build on their strong second half of the season, with coach Pierre Sage expected to sign a new contract. Marseille is searching for a new coach after a disappointing season, and Monaco and Brest are preparing for Champions League campaigns.

The broader health of Ligue 1 remains uncertain, particularly with the league still lacking a broadcast deal for next season. The collapse of a record contract with Spanish company Mediapro in 2020 has left clubs struggling financially. Reports suggest that a deal with beIN Sports, which is Qatari-controlled like PSG, may be in the works, but time is running out to finalize it.

Overall, PSG's focus is on rebuilding and preparing for another Champions League campaign, while the rest of French football navigates financial uncertainties and seeks to challenge PSG's dominance.