After nearly 15 years of lavish spending, repeated letdowns, and moments of bitter humiliation, Paris Saint-Germain finally captured the UEFA Champions League title on Saturday, granting their Qatari owners the glory they had long pursued. The emphatic 5-0 win over Inter Milan in Munich marked not only PSG’s first European crown but also the most lopsided victory ever recorded in a Champions League final.
In previous seasons, the club failed to lift the trophy despite boasting superstar lineups featuring Zlatan Ibrahimović, Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, and even Lionel Messi. But this season, success arrived after PSG pivoted away from a superstar model. Under the leadership of coach Luis Enrique, a young, hungry squad flourished—bringing continental success to the Qatari-led project launched in 2011 with Qatar Sports Investments’ takeover of a then-struggling club.
PSG dominated Europe in 2025, but their commanding performance in the final topped all previous displays. For Qatar, it was a crowning achievement to follow the unforgettable 2022 World Cup final in Doha, where Messi’s Argentina edged out Mbappé’s France. Now, their flagship club has added another jewel to the crown with a record-breaking Champions League triumph.
It’s easy to forget PSG stumbled at the start of their campaign, losing three of their first five games. “We had a difficult start. Everyone criticised us and doubted us. Lots of people didn’t believe in our project,” PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi told Canal Plus. “The objective now is to win again. It has taken 14 years of hard work, but we are building something for the future.”
Al-Khelaifi, a key figure in global football and chairman of the European Club Association, was visibly elated as he joined the celebrations on the pitch, clutching the long-awaited trophy.
This is only the second time a French club has lifted the European Cup, the last being Marseille in 1993. Given the youth and potential of this PSG side, it may not be another 30-year wait. The average age of the starting XI in the final was under 25, with 31-year-old Marquinhos—at the club since 2013—its eldest member.
“I have suffered and I have grown with this team,” the Brazilian defender told broadcaster M6. “My thoughts are with all the players who played here but were not able to win it.”
PSG’s road to glory has been long and costly—14 years, eight different head coaches, and over €2 billion in transfer fees. Prior to this season, their best finish was a runner-up spot in 2020, when they lost to Bayern Munich. Semi-final exits and infamous collapses in the last 16, including losses to Barcelona (2017), Manchester United (2019), and Real Madrid (2022), had defined their European legacy—until now.
“When I arrived, I said the goal was to win important trophies. The only one missing was the Champions League,” said Luis Enrique, who took over in 2023.
Their triumph follows a growing trend of Gulf-backed football dominance, mirroring Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City’s 2023 win—also against Inter. PSG’s financial firepower is unmatched in France and competitive with Europe’s elite. According to Deloitte’s Football Money League, their 2024 revenue surpassed €800 million, ranking them third behind Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Their wage bill reportedly dwarfs that of Inter, but unlike in previous years, their spending is now smarter. The squad’s core includes emerging stars like two-goal final hero Désiré Doué, Joao Neves, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The shift in philosophy, coupled with Luis Enrique and sporting director Luis Campos recently signing contract extensions, signals continuity and ambition.
PSG didn’t just win in Europe this season—they swept all three domestic trophies in France. Their Champions League victory alone will net the club over €100 million in prize money, and their campaign is not over yet.
Next up is the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where PSG are aiming for a fifth trophy this season. “I think it is an incredible competition,” said Luis Enrique. “Our aim is to be competitive and to try to win a fifth trophy of the season.” His side is set to face Atletico Madrid in Los Angeles in two weeks.
For Qatar-owned PSG, the quest for global dominance has only just begun.
