Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan are set to face off in the 2025 UEFA Champions League final, scheduled for May 31 at the Allianz Arena in Munich. This highly anticipated match will crown the winner of Europe`s premier club football competition for the season. Inter reaches this stage for the second time in three seasons, having been runners-up in the 2023 final where they lost 1-0 to Pep Guardiola`s Manchester City. They are striving for their fourth European Cup, with their last triumph dating back to 2010 under Jose Mourinho, completing a historic treble. PSG, on the other hand, is still seeking their maiden Champions League title. This will be their second final appearance, their previous one ending in a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the 2020 edition, decided by a goal from Kingsley Coman.
Luis Enrique`s PSG side secured their spot in the final by overcoming Arsenal in a two-legged semifinal. The French giants won the first leg 1-0 in London before clinching the return match in Paris 2-1, thanks to goals from Fabian Ruiz and former Inter player Achraf Hakimi. Meanwhile, Simone Inzaghi`s Inter side advanced after eliminating Barcelona in the semifinals, having already knocked out Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals. Inter`s semifinal against Barcelona was particularly memorable, featuring a thrilling 4-3 victory in the second leg with Davide Frattesi scoring the winning goal, following a 3-3 draw in the first leg in Barcelona. Both finalists boast squads filled with talent capable of influencing the game at any moment. Below, we highlight the top five players expected to make a significant impact in this season`s Champions League final.
Match Information
- Date: Saturday, May 31
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Venue: Allianz Arena — Munich, Germany
- Watch: Refer to local broadcast listings
5. GK Yann Sommer, Inter
Selecting the best goalkeeper was a challenging task, especially considering the excellent form of PSG`s Gianluigi Donnarumma, who performed impressively against Liverpool and Aston Villa in earlier rounds. However, Yann Sommer for Inter has been truly exceptional, standing out particularly in the first leg against Arsenal in London and delivering remarkable performances across both legs of the semifinal against Barcelona. The Swiss international proved his status among Europe`s elite shot-stoppers with crucial saves, notably a fantastic stop against Lamine Yamal in the second leg at San Siro, justifying Inter`s decision to bring him in during the summer of 2023 to replace Andre Onana.
4. Achraf Hakimi, PSG
The dynamic wing-back previously played for Inter during the 2020-21 season under Antonio Conte`s management. His impact in Italian Serie A was outstanding, contributing significantly to Inter`s first Scudetto win in 11 years. PSG then signed him in the summer of 2021 for a fee around $70 million including add-ons. After his departure, Inter brought in Denzel Dumfries as his replacement, who has developed significantly and is now approaching Hakimi`s level, although perhaps not quite there yet. The Moroccan star is considered one of the world`s best in his position and has the chance to lift the trophy against his former club and teammates, having scored the decisive goal in the semifinal second leg against Arsenal in Paris.
3. Lautaro Martinez, Inter
Inter`s captain has had a phenomenal season, building on his strong form from last year where he finished seventh in the Ballon d`Or voting. Winning the Champions League is the primary major trophy missing from his decorated career. His swift recovery and readiness to start the second leg against Barcelona just six days after a muscular injury in the first leg highlights his immense desire to achieve this goal. Compared to the 2023 final where he was partnered with Edin Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku, his partnership with new teammate Marcus Thuram this season has helped Lautaro Martinez elevate his goal tally and overall performance level.
2. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, PSG
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia`s transfer to PSG stands out as arguably the best signing of the January 2025 window, potentially one of the most impactful winter signings ever. The former Napoli winger has rapidly adapted and showcased his immense talent in France. Since joining Luis Enrique`s team, he has recorded four goals and six assists, but more importantly, he has demonstrated his brilliant individual skill and quickly established himself as a regular starter. He is expected to be the most individually talented player on display in this final, making him the one to watch for moments of extraordinary skill.
1. Ousmane Dembele, PSG
The presence of Ousmane Dembele significantly alters PSG`s attacking dynamics. If the French winger is fully fit and in top form for the 2025 final, Inter may find it exceptionally difficult to contain him, even after successfully handling players like Lamine Yamal and Raphinha in the semifinals. His statistics this season are quite remarkable, having already scored 33 goals and provided 13 assists, averaging a goal every 92 minutes across 44 appearances in all competitions. Should he also contribute significantly to a PSG victory in the Champions League final on May 31, he would likely become a strong contender for the Ballon d`Or award.
Dominic Ashworth