Paris Saint-Germain has undergone a significant transformation since Qatar Sports Investments acquired the club in 2011. Before this takeover, their last victory in Ligue 1 was during the 1993-94 season, and their most recent appearance in a European final dated back to winning the Intertoto Cup in 2001-02. Fast forward to today, the club has earned a spot in the Champions League final, scheduled to face Inter on May 31, following their eighth Ligue 1 title win in the past decade. The possibility of securing a treble this season remains, notably after the departure of their record goalscorer, Kylian Mbappe, who moved to Real Madrid in the summer.
This season, which many anticipated would be a period of rebuilding, has surprisingly produced one of the strongest Paris Saint-Germain teams in recent memory. This squad has the potential to propel the club to new heights by capturing their first ever Champions League title. Such an achievement would represent a monumental step not just for PSG, but for French football overall, ending the nation`s drought in the premier European competition that has persisted since Marseille`s triumph in 1993.
Reflecting on the club`s progress and current standing, former French international and current CBS Sports analyst Thierry Henry spoke highly of Paris Saint-Germain`s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
“Being French, I know the pressure that you came under, and you know this town is not a nice one when things aren`t going well,” Henry commented. “I have to say that you always conducted yourself really well, you listened to what was missing. We talked about it, and that the team at the time had to go young.
When you went to get Luis Enrique, I said to you, `You got a proper coach, he doesn`t mess around, you will see,` but I wanted to say, thank you, because you changed the way people see Paris Saint-Germain. When I was growing up, it wasn`t the case, you changed everything, the community, people can go and watch the games, which wasn`t always the case, so hopefully you can make the next step and bring another star. I know it`s my team you knocked out, but I want Paris Saint-Germain to win it because it will seal what you`ve done and the way you`ve done it, and you put Paris back on the map.`”
Dominic Ashworth