Tears, Triumph & Legacy: PSG’s Champions League Redemption

"In football, the result is an impostor. You can do things really, really well but not win. There's something greater than the result, more lasting - a legacy."
– Xavi

_{PSG, CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE}

Hello Everyone,

Life can be full of twists and turn but everytime there is something outstanding or spectacular that happens. It is like nature rewards people and some days are just never forgotten. One of those night was yesterday's champions league Final, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won this Historic final in a commanding way, but it wasn't just all about their win to me. It was everything that surrounded it, the life lessons and the big time reminder that football is more than a game.

From an Arsenal's Fan Perspective

As an Arsenal fan, we've been mocked for not winning anything in Europe. Despite our invisible domestic winning season, we can't start a 5 minute argument with any other club because we always get knocked out with "Where is your champions league trophy" question. Almost like a big blow to our faces. We faced Psg in this year's Semi finals and immediately we lost i started rooting for PSG.

For years, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) were the ultimate “almost” team. They had the money, the superstars, and the media spotlight, everything but no European Trophy just like my club Arsenal. Arsenal fans could argue that we didn't spend close to what PSG have spent pursuing that trophy, but our recent acquisitions says we are also spending.

I just wanted PSG to win because I think I can imagine how their fans feel and now I believe as an Arsenal fan, we are next.

A Club Rebuilt, Not Just Rebranded

PSG had three of the greatest football players in the history of football and they couldn't win the champions league. Infact, I'd correct myself and say they had the greatest player football has ever seen in Lionel Messi. Players like Neymar & Mbappe were already in the system and the addition of Messi then felt like it was the year for them. That season, they secured their domestic title but fell short in Europe.

It is no suprise that when Psg parted ways with their big guns, many doubted the direction. I was even more suprised with the fact that they weren't obsessed to sign mega stars to replace them. They decided to form a team with structure and they stopped building around just one man.
Young talents like Warren Zaïre-Emery and Désiré Doué didn’t just fill gaps,they owned the stage. They showed what they are capable of doing. Yesterday final was a testament to what they built. They didn't just win the final, they demolished Inter Milan 5-0 with strong defense and an attack that took their opportunity when they had them.

_{They Finally did it}

Luis Enrique!!!

One of the reasons I decided to write this post as I dont write about football anymore was because of this man. His impact was immediate and very sound. He brought alot clarity to this psg team. We all know him fondly from his tiki take style with Barcelona. He brought it to PSG but this time with a different blend. They pressed and defend very well but didn't go around chasing shadows. Everything was done in a concise manner. I'd say one thing I noticed is the confidence he gave to his players. And that confidence was very decisive. Look at a player like Désiré Doué, the 18-year-old in the final, stunned Inter with his confidence, scoring and assisting in his finest performance yet.

And then was the defense, in his post match interview, he mentioned how impressive he was with his forward Dembele's defense. That's a coach that has instilled certain mindset to his players. In that game, inter Milan looked very lost.

A Coach, A Father & A Fighter

Luis Enrique's Journey in football is something I read and I was quite emotional about. Yesterday night wasn't just about him winning the champions league title, it was also a very personal night for him.

In 2019, He lost his 9 year old daughter to Bone cancer. Just like anyone would do, He stepped away from coaching and football didn't matter to him anymore. There wasn't much news about him then and I can assume the grief was silent and painful. After the final whistle yesterday, Everyone felt his loss and the Victory was of more importance.

_{Luis Enrique and His daughter}

Luis Enrique: “I remember an incredible photo I have with my daughter, after winning the Champions League, placing a Barça flag on the pitch. I wish I could do the same with PSG. She won't be there physically, but she'll be there spiritually, and that's very important to me.”

I believe he made his daughter very proud by winning again. Yesterday, I couldn't hold myself watching him. It is something that reminds me about how life can be so good but yet difficult. Quite funny that someone on Hive here reminded me few hours earlier in his reflection post that we are all going to die, no matter what

_{In Honour of Luis Enrique's daughter Xana}

Watching the game yesterday felt very emotional.

https://x.com/Lea_EFC/status/1928924252813558160?t=w7Hy-2KNlNET7Wnn2sEjoQ&s=19

More Than a Trophy

PSG won the champions league title, but it isn't just about the trophy, they just instilled their name as a force to reckon with in football. A club from the so called "Farmers league" won the Champions League! It was a coming of age. Of all years, no one could have seen this coming this season. They now have a winning identity; All hail the French Champions!

Conclusion

Paris Saint-Germain’s 2025 Champions League victory will be remembered for the scoreline,the players, the build up but more than anything, it will be remembered for emotion. For the silent tears. For the coach who endured. For the daughter never forgotten. This might just be a new beginning for clubs like mine. After all, this season was like that. With PSG, they finally lifted their first ever UCL trophy,Spurs ended a 17 year drought with silverware, very hard to believe but Harry Kane got his hands on a trophy after 31 years,Newcastle celebrated their first title in 70 years,Bologna ended a 51-year wait for glory, Crystal Palace won their first major trophy.

It's Arsenal Turn. Amen!

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Thanks For Reading!