Paris Saint-Germain has undergone a significant transformation since Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) took ownership in 2011. Prior to the takeover, the club had not won the Ligue 1 title since the 1993-94 season and their last appearance in a European final dated back to their Intertoto Cup victory in 2001-02.
Now, PSG has successfully reached the Champions League final, where they are scheduled to face Inter on May 31st. This achievement caps a period of domestic dominance, having clinched the league title for the eighth time in the last ten seasons. Remarkably, this season, which also presents the opportunity for a treble, has been navigated successfully despite the departure of their record goalscorer, Kylian Mbappé, who moved to Real Madrid last summer.
What was initially expected to be a rebuilding phase has instead resulted in one of the strongest PSG squads in recent history. This team has the potential to elevate the club further by securing its first-ever Champions League title. Such a victory would not only be a landmark for PSG but also a significant moment for French football, ending a drought since Marseille`s UCL win in 1993.
Reflecting on this journey, former French international and current CBS Sports analyst Thierry Henry offered high praise for Paris Saint-Germain`s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
`Being French, I know the pressure that you came under, and you know this town is not a nice one when things aren`t going well, and I have to say that you always conducted yourself really well, you listened to what was missing,` Henry commented. `We talked about it, and that the team at the time had to go young.`
Henry continued, highlighting key decisions made by Al-Khelaifi:
`When you went to get Luis Enrique, I said to you, `You got a proper coach, he doesn`t mess around, you will see,` but I wanted to say, thank you, because you changed the way people see Paris Saint-Germain. When I was growing up, it wasn`t the case, you changed everything, the community, people can go and watch the games, which wasn`t always the case, so hopefully you can make the next step and bring another star. I know it`s my team you knocked out, but I want Paris Saint-Germain to win it because it will seal what you`ve done and the way you`ve done it, and you put Paris back on the map.`
Champions League Final Information
- Date: Saturday, May 31
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Allianz Arena — Munich, Germany
- TV: CBS
- Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Paris Saint-Germain +105; Draw +240; Inter +270
