Kimpembe came off the bench late on as PSG advanced to the quarter-finals with a comfortable 2-0 win over third-tier Le Mans, via goals from Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola.

The centre-back had most recently featured on 27 February, 2023 (AEDT), when he suffered a serious knee injury in a 4-3 win over Lille, achieved with a stoppage-time free-kick by Lionel Messi.

Kimpembe has undergone two surgeries on the injury, the most recent one taking place in late 2023, but Luis Enrique had confirmed ahead of the Le Mans game that he was set to return.

Speaking to beIN SPORTS after the game, the France international said: "It wasn't an easy match.

"We know that the Coupe de France is important to us. It's a difficult competition; we've seen that with other Ligue 1 clubs who have gone out.

"We've managed to qualify for the quarter-finals this evening and that's nothing but positive.

"Of course, there's lots of emotion. After almost two years out, it makes me happy, it's mad. I'm a warrior, a soldier.

"There's a mixture of a lot of feelings and honestly I just feel proud to wear this shirt with this badge again, and to have the chance to make the most of it with my team-mates."

PSG, the defending champion, is a strong favourite to win the Coupe de France for a record-extending 16th time.

This season's competition has already featured several upsets, including Lyon going out to fifth-tier Bourgoin-Jallieu and Lille losing to Dunkerque on penalties, so Luis Enrique was pleased to avoid a similar fate.

"It was a typical Coupe de France match. Dangerous, unpredictable. There are a lot of things you can't control. But I think we did a good job," the Spaniard said.

"We're in the quarter-finals and we were able to give the players some minutes and a rest, so we have to be happy.

"Presnel is the big news. I think he's happy. It's a special moment for him, and together it's easier."