Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured their long-awaited UEFA Champions League title in stunning fashion on Saturday night, obliterating Inter Milan 5-0 at the Allianz Arena in Munich. The French giants, long considered underachievers on Europe’s grandest stage, delivered a performance for the ages to clinch the biggest winning margin in Champions League final history.
The victory caps off an unforgettable season for the Ligue 1 champions, who also secured a historic treble. Goals from Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Senny Mayulu, and a brace from French teenager Désiré Doué sealed a triumph that had eluded the club for over a decade despite heavy investment from Qatar Sports Investments since 2011.
The achievement marks a watershed moment for the club, who had previously reached the final just once — a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in 2020. This time, there was no heartbreak, only celebration, as PSG finally wrote their name into the annals of European football history.
Mbappé Sends Love Despite Rocky Departure
Former PSG talisman Kylian Mbappé, who joined Real Madrid last summer after six seasons in Paris, was quick to extend congratulations to his former club. Taking to Instagram within an hour of the final whistle, the 26-year-old wrote: “The big day has finally arrived. Victory and with the manner of a whole club. Congratulations, PSG.”
Mbappé’s time at PSG was decorated with domestic success — six Ligue 1 titles, four Coupe de France wins, and two Coupe de la Ligue trophies — but the Champions League remained elusive during his tenure. His departure to Real Madrid came amid a high-profile salary dispute with PSG, with the French star currently claiming €55 million in unpaid wages through legal action.
Despite their legal wranglings, Mbappé’s message was celebratory, signaling a gesture of goodwill towards a club where he became an icon. The forward, who netted 256 goals for PSG and became their all-time top scorer, left a legacy that still looms large at the Parc des Princes.
Neymar Joins in Celebration from Afar
Neymar Jr., another marquee figure from PSG’s star-studded past, also joined in congratulating the club. The Brazilian forward posted a simple but heartfelt message on Instagram: “Congratulations PSG,” accompanied by five clapping emojis and a video of captain Marquinhos lifting the trophy.
Neymar arrived in Paris in 2017 for a world-record £200 million transfer from Barcelona. Though his tenure was riddled with injuries and high expectations, he managed to score 82 goals and win 13 trophies, including five Ligue 1 titles. However, like Mbappé, he never achieved the goal PSG valued most — Champions League glory.
Now playing for boyhood club Santos in Brazil after a brief spell at Al Hilal, Neymar’s relationship with PSG ended more quietly than Mbappé’s. Still, his post confirms a mutual respect for the club’s journey and success, even if it came after his departure.
A New Generation Delivers Where Superstars Fell Short
Ironically, the team that finally delivered the Champions League for PSG did so without the services of their most iconic recent stars — Mbappé, Neymar, and Lionel Messi. Instead, a youthful and dynamic PSG squad spearheaded by Désiré Doué led the charge in Munich, signaling the emergence of a new golden generation.
Doué’s two goals and assist, coupled with clinical finishes from Hakimi, Kvaratskhelia, and 19-year-old Senny Mayulu, demonstrated the club’s successful transition from celebrity signings to cohesive, energetic team play. Under new tactical leadership, Paris Saint-Germain seem to have found the winning formula that eluded them for so long.
This performance and the manner in which it was achieved may set the tone for a new era at PSG — one not dominated by superstar egos, but by hungry young talents who understand the value of teamwork, identity, and resilience on Europe’s biggest nights.
PSG’s Triumph Ends a Decade-Long Pursuit
The victory ends a decade-long pursuit by PSG to conquer Europe after being transformed into a global powerhouse by Qatari ownership. The club has spent billions recruiting world-class talent and building a brand capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with Europe’s elite. And now, with the Champions League trophy finally secured, that vision has come to fruition.
As the champagne flows in Paris, both former heroes and current stars share in the historic moment. From Neymar’s understated praise to Mbappé’s emotional tribute, it’s clear that PSG’s long journey to European glory has touched everyone associated with the club — past and present.
And while Mbappé and Neymar may have left without the crown they once sought in Paris, their reactions reveal a sense of closure and shared pride in seeing PSG — the club they once led — finally rise to the summit of European football.
