There may finally be a sense of relief for PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. Ever since the Qatari billionaire took over the French club, he had dreamed of seeing them crowned kings of Europe. He poured resources into building a star-studded “dream team” featuring Neymar Jr., Kylian Mbappé, and Lionel Messi in pursuit of that goal.
But the results never came. One by one, those superstars left the club, and Al-Khelaifi chose a new path. He brought in Luis Enrique as head coach and shifted focus to fundamentals — prioritizing academy graduates and young talents. In this new vision, dedication and potential were valued more than big names.
With an average age of just 25, this youthful PSG side made history under Enrique. In the Champions League final in Munich, they demolished Inter Milan 5-0 — the biggest winning margin in the 70-year history of the competition’s final.
Enrique also achieved a remarkable personal milestone. He became only the second manager in history to win the treble — domestic league, domestic cup, and Champions League — with two different clubs. After clinching the Ligue 1 title and Coupe de France earlier this season, he capped it off with PSG’s first-ever Champions League trophy.
He previously accomplished the feat in 2015 with Barcelona, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League. The only other coach to achieve the treble with two different clubs is Pep Guardiola, who did it with Barcelona in 2011 and with Manchester City in 2023. Interestingly, both Enrique and Guardiola were once Barcelona players and began their coaching careers at the club.
PSG’s triumph in Munich also kept the city’s unique legacy intact. In all five European Cup/Champions League finals hosted there, a new champion has been crowned. Following in the footsteps of Nottingham Forest, Marseille, Borussia Dortmund, and Chelsea, PSG now adds its name to that list — lifting their maiden Champions League trophy in Munich.
