Paris Saint-Germain Crowned 2024/25 UEFA Champions League Winners

Paris Saint-Germain have finally reached the summit of European football. In a long-awaited moment of glory, the Parisians defeated Inter Milan 5-0 at the Allianz Arena to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history. In a clash between European royalty and one of football’s modern superpowers, it was PSG who triumphed in spectacular fashion.

Five years ago, PSG fell agonizingly short in Lisbon, where Kingsley Coman’s goal gave Bayern Munich a 1-0 win in the 2020 final. That defeat marked a turning point PSG had been chasing redemption ever since. The journey was anything but smooth, yet under the guidance of Luis Enrique, they finally delivered.

A Rocky Start and a Remarkable Turnaround

PSG’s 2024/25 Champions League campaign began inauspiciously. After a narrow 1-0 win over Girona, they endured a four-match winless run losing to Arsenal and Atlético Madrid and drawing against PSV Eindhoven. But just when their European hopes seemed to be fading, PSG roared back with emphatic wins over Salzburg (0-3), Manchester City (4-2) and Stuttgart (1-4), securing 15th place in the league phase and a spot in the play-offs.

A comfortable 10-0 aggregate win over Ligue 1 rivals Brest (0-3 away, 7-0 at home) propelled them into the knockout rounds. There, they faced a daunting challenge Premier League champions and top seeds Liverpool. A late Harvey Elliott goal gave the Reds a first-leg advantage, but PSG rallied. Ousmane Dembélé’s early strike in the return leg sent the tie to extra time and then penalties, where Gianluigi Donnarumma hero of Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph came to the fore once more.

Building Momentum Through the Knockouts

In the quarter-finals, PSG faced former boss Unai Emery and his Aston Villa side. A 3-1 home win gave them breathing room, though the return leg in Birmingham ended nervously, with the aggregate score at 5-4. PSG held on and advanced to meet Arsenal in the semis.

Dembélé silenced the Emirates with a first-leg winner and in the second leg at the Parc des Princes, goals from Fabián Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi sealed the deal. A late strike from Bukayo Saka wasn’t enough for Arsenal and PSG were through to their second-ever final.

Waiting for them was Inter Milan experienced, battle-hardened and fresh off eliminating European giants Bayern Munich and Barcelona. But in Munich, PSG delivered a performance for the ages.

A Night of Glory in Munich

Teen sensation Désiré Doué was the star of the show, scoring twice and assisting the opener for Achraf Hakimi. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added a fourth before 19-year-old substitute Senny Mayulu fired in a fifth off the post, sealing the biggest winning margin in a Champions League final.

The victory was symbolic in more ways than one: PSG became only the second French club to win the Champions League joining Marseille, who triumphed in 1993, also in Munich, against Inter’s city rivals AC Milan.

Luis Enrique’s Silent Revolution

At the heart of PSG’s transformation is Luis Enrique. Appointed in July 2023, just months after being dismissed by Spain following a disappointing World Cup exit, the Spaniard inherited what many viewed as a poisoned chalice. PSG’s high-profile stars Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr and Kylian Mbappé had failed to bring European glory and all had left by the summer of 2024.

While many feared Mbappé’s departure would set PSG back, Enrique remained defiant, even predicting a stronger side without their all-time top scorer. He was right.

This triumph makes Enrique just the second manager after Pep Guardiola to win two career trebles and he joins an elite club of managers with two Champions League titles.

A Team Reimagined

PSG’s attacking unit flourished in Mbappé’s absence. Dembélé was electric, scoring 33 goals in all competitions. He was ably supported by Doué, Barcola and Kvaratskhelia signed in January who added pace, creativity and composure.

In midfield, the dynamic trio of Vitinha, João Neves and Fabián Ruiz offered balance and control. Vitinha served as the orchestrator and penalty taker, Neves brought intensity and surprising aerial prowess, while Ruiz provided experience and elegance.

Defensively, PSG were anchored by captain Marquinhos. After 13 seasons and 34 trophies, the Champions League was the one missing jewel in the Brazilian’s glittering crown. His long-awaited triumph symbolized PSG’s journey from perennial contenders to European champions.

A New Era Begins

This victory marks the dawn of a new era at PSG. With a young, hungry squad and a visionary coach, the club finally has the foundation for sustained European success. The ghosts of past failures have been exorcised Paris has conquered Europe and the Champions League trophy is finally theirs.