PSG's captain Marquinhos believes the team can manage the pressure in the Champions League final.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will contest the 2025 UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan, boasting a vibrant squad united by the ambition to write history for the club. Brazilian defender Marquinhos, the senior player in the current squad, expressed his excitement at this "glorious opportunity" to leave an indelible mark on the storied French side.
Marquinhos, now 31, has spent most of his career with PSG since joining in 2013. He acknowledged the team's ups and downs, notably the crushing defeat in the 2020 final against Bayern Munich, as well as the humiliating Champions League defeats like the infamous collapse against Barcelona in 2017. With young talents like 19-year-old French forward Désiré Doué stepping up, Marquinhos expressed optimism about PSG's new era under coach Luis Enrique.
"We have a coach who is exceptional and has prepared us really well. Even if we are a very young team, you can see how ready we are for these games," Marquinhos said during a press conference in Munich. The team's determined performance this season - having already secured the French league title and winning both the domestic league and cup double, along with eliminating three Premier League teams - testifies to their resilience and vitality.
Under the guidance of Luis Enrique, who led Barcelona to the 2015 Champions League title, PSG have transformed their approach, focusing more on team-building and youth development. This change was highlighted by the emerging talent of Doué, who netted twice in the final and became a key figure in the team's attack.
Championing a squad brimming with energy and potential, Marquinhos called for a collective effort to secure the long-elusive trophy. "It's time to get the trophy and bring it home," he stated before praising fellow standout performer Ousmane Dembele, who converted from a winger to a deadly striker this season, contributing 33 goals in all competitions.
Luis Enrique also shared his anticipation for the historic clash, acknowledging that his previous Champions League triumph with Barcelona in 2015 set the stage for the 2025 final, where his current side now finds itself. "Now I have ten years more experience, and I will try to transmit to the players how great an opportunity it is for us to play a Champions League final," he said. With eyes fixed firmly on the prize, the buoyant PSG squad readies itself for an electrifying showdown against Inter Milan.
© 2025 AFP
Enrichment Data IntegrationThe triumph in the 2025 final reflects both the team's strategic evolution under coach Luis Enrique and the emergence of a new generation of talent at the forefront of the French club. Key players who contributed decisively in the match included: 19-year-old French forward Désiré Doué, who scored twice; Algerian right-back Achraf Hakimi, who provided the opening goal; Scottish winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who added a goal to the team's tally; young Belgian forward Senny Mayulu, who scored as a late substitute; and once again, seasoned coach Luis Enrique, whose tactical acumen played a pivotal role in PSG's joyous victory.
Marquinhos, during the press conference, emphasized the importance of teamwork and youth development under coach Luis Enrique as PSG prepares for the 2025 UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan. He highlighted the key contributions of several young players, such as French forward Désiré Doué, Algerian right-back Achraf Hakimi, Scottish winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, young Belgian forward Senny Mayulu, and coach Luis Enrique himself, whose tactical prowess has been instrumental in their success in the European leagues, including the Champions League.
