Paris Saint-Germain’s journey to the Champions League final has been shaped by a major shift following the departure of its last icon, Kylian Mbappé. Mbappé’s transfer to Real Madrid ended the club’s era of star power that included Neymar and Lionel Messi. This exit marked a new chapter for PSG, as the club moved away from relying on individual brilliance toward a more united and youth-focused team.
Since taking over as coach in July 2023, Luis Enrique has led this transformation. Known inside PSG as a “footballing architect,” Enrique convinced club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and advisor Luis Campos to adopt a strategy centered on teamwork and development of young players. Under Enrique’s leadership, PSG has embraced a clear hierarchy, ending the era where star players had outsized influence.
Enrique’s approach includes unique personal rituals to maintain focus. He walks barefoot on the training ground daily, a practice known as “earthing” that he believes improves his well-being and connection to nature. The 55-year-old coach also balances his demanding role with intense physical discipline, having completed endurance challenges such as the Frankfurt Ironman and the Marathon des Sables in the Sahara Desert. Personal tragedy has shaped him, too—Enrique lost his nine-year-old daughter to cancer in 2019, a loss that deeply inspires his dedication.
With Mbappé gone, Enrique shifted the team’s focus to young talents like Desire Doue, Mathys Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who joined from Napoli in January. These players have thrived under Enrique’s guidance, showing technical skill, tactical awareness, and strong commitment. When Dembélé’s form dipped, Enrique benched him, leading to a swift return to form crucial for PSG’s domestic and European success.
PSG’s recent 4-2 victory over Manchester City was a turning point, boosting confidence and showcasing the potential of the team’s youth. The squad has since dominated other top clubs like Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal to reach the final. At just 24 years and 262 days, PSG is the youngest team remaining in the Champions League. The team leads the competition in creating scoring chances from turnovers, highlighting their aggressive, dynamic play.
Experience balances the youthful squad. Veterans such as captain Marquinhos and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma provide leadership and stability, blending skill with composure. This mix of youth and experience sets the stage for a compelling final against Inter Milan, whose starting lineup averages over 30 years old.
PSG fans, especially the ultras group Virage Auteuil, are ready to support the team with passion in Munich. Having missed the 2020 final due to COVID-19, they arrive with banners and chants that reflect Paris’s resilience and ambition. The club has made several deep runs in Europe over the past decade, and now the belief in Luis Enrique’s vision is stronger than ever.
PSG stands on the verge of European glory, a team rebuilt from within and led by a coach focused on collective strength over individual stardom. This final is more than a match; it is the culmination of a transformation that could redefine the club’s legacy for years to come.