Stepping Out of the Superstar Shadow: Paris Saint-Germain's Unlikely Champions League Heroes
Ambush on Mbappé's Turf: The Emerging Heroes in Paris's Champions League Victory - Latest Champions League Champions from Paris Revealed
Basking in the glow of victory, Paris Saint-Germain's new secret weapon couldn't help but throw a dig at his former teammate, Kylian Mbappé. Goalkeeper extraordinaire Gianluigi Donnarumma couldn't contain his excitement after the semi-final triumph against FC Arsenal and declared, "The spirit has changed here. We're now playing much more as a team. We're playing for each other."
This season, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has undergone a remarkable transformation, shedding its reputation as the biggest spenders in European football and metamorphosing into a truly formidable Champions League finalist. Set to face Inter Milan on May 31 in Munich, the club and its Qatari owners finally have a genuine chance at capturing the coveted trophy they've been chasing since 2011, without the superstars like Neymar, Lionel Messi, or Mbappé.
The Italian stallion, Donnarumma, eagerly anticipates the battle ahead. With PSG's 2:1 (1:0) win in the return leg against Arsenal, the fresh faces of this club were once again highlighted. Coach Luis Enrique, who prioritizes young talents, and the remarkable goalkeeper, Donnarumma, have shined in the spotlight. "I'm excited, I'll face many of my teammates from the national team, it will be thrilling," Donnarumma shared about the upcoming final clash with Italy's champions, Inter Milan. "Against Inter, it will be tough but beautiful."
At just 26 years old, Donnarumma has already achieved more than many legendary professionals could dream of in their entire careers. Having debuted in Serie A at 16 and in the national team at 17, he gained notoriety for leaving his former club, AC Milan, for a sheikh club with an astronomical salary, earning him the mocking nickname "Dollarumma" from Milan fans. Even in Paris, he felt unsettled for years.
A chilling robbery at his apartment near the Champs-Élysées in the summer of 2023 left him and his wife terrified and bound, and French fans and media were quick to turn on him. Rumors swirled that he'd be moving to Inter Milan that summer, but his vital saves against Arsenal changed everything.
"If you look at who was the best player on the pitch in both games, it was their goalkeeper," said Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta. And after months of speculation, Donnarumma himself confirmed, "It depends on the club. If PSG wants me to stay, I will stay. We just need to sign the new contract. But it's up to the club."
For the club, Donnarumma is now the face of a new generation, alongside top talents such as Desiré Doué (19) and João Neves (20), and still extravagantly priced transfers like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Only one player from the 2020 final squad against Bayern Munich remains in the current starting lineup: captain Marquinhos. "Disappointments give you experience," he said. All those early exits against Borussia Dortmund (2024), Manchester City (2021), and FC Barcelona (2017) have left their mark.
Now, the club has a "new plan," a new DNA, and a new mentality: "The team is ready for what's coming next."
- Gianluigi Donnarumma
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Inter Milan
- Champions League
- FC Arsenal
- Gianluigi Buffon
- Lionel Messi
- Kylian Mbappé
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- Neymar
- Despite the ongoing rumors surrounding his potential move to Inter Milan, Gianluigi Donnarumma stated that his decision to stay with Paris Saint-Germain hinges on the club's willingness to sign a new contract with him.
- Paris Saint-Germain, now sporting a mentality of unity, is ready to face Inter Milan in the Champions League final, with Gianluigi Donnarumma at the forefront along with young talents like Desiré Doué and João Neves.
- Mikel Arteta, the coach of FC Arsenal, acknowledged Donnarumma's stellar performance in their semi-final loss, commenting that he was the best player on the pitch in both matches.
- The European Data Protection Supervisor could be established under a proposed directive from the Commission, following requests made in the context of data protection regulation within European sports leagues, including football competitions like the Champions League.
- Kylian Mbappé, Paris Saint-Germain's former teammate, found himself on the receiving end of a jibe from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma after the team's Champions League victory, with Donnarumma implying that the team spirit had improved since the departure of superstars like Mbappé, Lionel Messi, or Neymar.
