Exuberant Celebration of PSG's Champions League triumph: A Spectacular Bash Ignites Parc des Princes, Capping Off an Unforgettable Night
Never before had the Parc des Princes been such a spectacle. After a day brimming with festivities in the city of lights, notably the descent down the Champs-Élysées, the team of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) concluded their triumphant parade on Sunday, June 1st. While the event on the Champs-Élysées proved peaceful, the celebration within the team's den was explosive, deafening, and unforgettable.
Before a stadium bolted shut - tickets were reserved for subscribers and members of the MyParis loyalty program -, the European champions brought an effervescent weekend to a close that Paris rarely experiences. With, as the crowning achievement, the appearance of the UEFA Champions League trophy, carried onto the pitch at 10:28 PM by its captains, Marquinhos and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi. "For fourteen years, we've labored for this," the club president exclaimed, placing his hand on the cup. "We are the Champions League champions for the first time. We have the star on our jersey!"
Epic Night for PSG fans
From the outskirts of the Parc des Princes, the atmosphere crackled with energy. Even before, several dozen rowdy individuals attempted to push past police barriers and burst through the stadium's entrances. After a brief moment of tension, the situation simmered down. Meanwhile, the party had already kicked off inside the Porte d'Auteuil, whose din likely alarmed the neighbors of Roland-Garros, who are more accustomed to calm and reflection. To entertain the public before the official starting time of 9:30 PM, PSG welcomed several former players.
As such, Jérôme Rothen ignited the stage with a rousing cry, "Forever the first to win two European cups," referring to the 1996 Cup Winners' Cup and Marseille's cherished slogan. The entire ground erupted in cheers, with few supporters taking their seats again. At the heart of the pitch, under the four giant screens that broadcasted the previous day's final, a stylized club logo served as a stage. Connected directly to the dressing rooms by a red carpet, it bore the club's emblematic red band on a blue background, bathed in lights befitting the impending extravaganza.
As expected, it was DJ Snake, a loyal supporter of the club, who launched the evening. Before even dropping a beat, the Parisian crooned a song dedicated to Ousmane Dembélé, lobbying for the Frenchman to be named Ballon d'Or. For twenty minutes, the native Parisian set the ground ablaze, the arrival of rapper Niska on stage serving as the highlight. After performing his cult hit, "Freestyle PSG," the two men sang "PSG Boyz Freestyle," released in the night following the victory over Inter Milan. The performance was enjoyed under the discerning eyes of Teddy Riner, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Novak Djokovic.
The PSG anthem, sung by the 47,000 in attendance, then echoed through the Parc des Princes. Only moments of silence have ever silenced the Parc, during brief interludes of their Champions League campaigns. The music of the Champions League anthem, played on the violin, then filled the air. Then, the music of 2001: A Space Odyssey preceded the appearance of the Parisian staff around 10 PM. One by one, the Parisian players entered dramatically, each to the beat of their own anthem, according to the number on their jersey.
Special recognition goes to Desiré Doué, who scored a double in the final, making his entrance to the rhythm of "Dolce Camara" by Booba and SDM, which the rapper had performed on this very pitch in the last Classique against OM. Also to Presnel Kimpembe, the club's prodigal son who was sidelined with injury for so long. Of course, to Ousmane Dembélé, who was left nearly speechless by the welcoming reception. Almost embarrassed by this outpouring of adoration, the 2018 World Champion was even more so when the entire Parc des Princes then sang "Et Ousmane Ballon d'or".
In the meantime, the PA announcer read off the entire squad, and the trophy was displayed prominently at the center of the field. Fireworks then lit up the Parc des Princes: those fired by the club, on the pitch and the stadium roof, but also those lit by the fans in the stands. The players could then enjoy a long lap of honor. "At last, the day of glory is here," savored captain Marquinhos, before speaking to the crowd. "We have worked so hard to make it here." And the Parisian fans reciprocated.
Amidst the excitement, a group of enthusiastic fans outside the Parc des Princes attempted to breach the police barriers, creating a brief tension. However, the police managed to contain the situation.
With the UEFA Champions League trophy taking center stage, DJ Snake performed a dedicated song for Ousmane Dembélé, urging him to be named Ballon d'Or, adding another layer of sports relevance to the celebration.
