On a night filled with roaring fans, resilient defending, and a final whistle that echoed through the Parc des Princes, Paris Saint-Germain secured a 3-1 aggregate victory over Arsenal to reach the UEFA Champions League final. But as the celebrations began, Gianluigi Donnarumma made a five-word remark that subtly shifted the spotlight, not to the triumph, but to what had been left behind.
The Parisians’ journey to the Champions League final has defied most predictions. At the start of the season, PSG were not even considered among the top favorites, especially after the high-profile exits of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Neymar, which many believed would cripple the team’s ambitions in Europe.
Yet, under Luis Enrique’s quiet revolution, the Red-and-Blues have embraced a new era. The Galactico experiment—long criticized for prioritizing individual brilliance over cohesion—was over. In its place, a well-drilled, youthful, and united side emerged. Their latest triumph over Premier League contenders Arsenal served as a definitive statement.
Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi provided the goals in the second leg, while January signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola, and Desire Doue led the line. But the man of the moment was once again between the sticks.
What did Donnarumma say?
Gianluigi Donnarumma delivered a masterclass in goalkeeping, making eight crucial saves over the two legs and rightfully earning the Man of the Match award in the semi-final second leg. But it wasn’t just his performance that had people talking—it was his post-match words.
“The spirit has changed, we are much more of a team. We play for each other,” Donnarumma told Prime Video. In a subtle yet unmistakable tone, he referenced the departures of the former stars and what their absence has meant for the club’s atmosphere.
Then came the sly dig. Though the star shot-stopper insisted, “We miss Kylian, he is one of the best in the world and I wish him all the best because he is a great friend,” it was clear that his comment hinted at a deeper truth. The team had rediscovered its soul.
The Italian goalkeeper, who was instrumental in Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph, even drew a parallel between that historic run and PSG’s current campaign. “We [Italy] won a European Championship like this—it makes all the difference in every team.”
Life after the ‘big three’
PSG’s transformation this season has validated long-standing concerns about the ‘MSN’ era. Despite the unmatched individual quality, that team often failed to function as a cohesive unit, with their only significant European run ending in defeat to Bayern Munich in the 2020 final.
This time, without the weight of superstardom, Luis Enrique has fostered balance—a blend of experience, youth, and hunger. The last—and only—time a French team lifted the Champions League trophy was Marseille in 1993, coincidentally also against Italian opposition in Munich. The Parisians now have a golden opportunity to match that achievement, with a passionate fanbase ready to descend upon Bavaria and back them every step of the way.
While traditionalists continue to criticize the team’s Qatari ownership and spending habits, this season has marked a notable shift in approach. No longer a gallery of egos, PSG has finally started resembling a team.
