
Deschamps will find PSG's France players in strange state after party, Dembele says
FRANCE coach Didier Deschamps will find some of his players in a strange state when they return from Paris St Germain's weekend celebrations, forward Ousmane Dembele said following the club's first Champions League triumph.
PSG crushed Inter Milan 5-0 in the final in Munich on Saturday, recording the biggest winning margin in the showpiece match of the continent's premier club competition.
France players, including PSG's Lucas Hernandez, Warren Zaire-Emery, Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue and Dembele, are due to rejoin the national squad at Clairefontaine from Monday to prepare for Thursday's Nations League semi-final against Spain.
'There you go, we've made a whole nation, a whole city proud. And, like they say, the party is just getting started. Didier is going to find us in a strange state,' the 28-year-old joked during an interview on French television channel M6.
The France international described the festivities as a long-awaited release after years of heartbreak.
PSG's previous Champions League final appearance was in 2020, when they were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Bayern Munich.
'It's exceptional, what just happened. Winning finals is great, but doing it in this way is even better, it's even more thrilling,' said Dembele.
'Honestly, we deserve it. After so many years of hardship and battles, I think Paris St Germain truly deserves this victory.'
There has been rejoicing in Paris as fans await the team's arrival on Sunday but Dembele urged supporters to keep the festivities peaceful.
More than 500 people were arrested by police and two people were reported dead during wild celebrations in France.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
33 minutes ago
- The Sun
Giraldez joins Lyon Women after Champions League wins
FORMER Barcelona women's coach Jonatan Giraldez has been hired by French champions Lyon on a three-year deal, the club said on Monday. The 33-year-old Spaniard took over from Joe Montemurro who was appointed head coach of the Australian national women's team earlier on Monday. During his time at the helm of Barcela the club won the Champions League in 2023 and 2024 as well as three national league titles. Lyon owner Michele Kang, who employed Giraldez at another of her clubs, Washington Spirit, said she hoped he would 'lift the team to new heights'. Lyon sealed their fourth consecutive women's French league title last Friday but went out of the Champions League in the semi-finals when they were beaten by tournament winners Arsenal. Lyon now face a rebuilding phase as several experienced players, including 36-year-old Eugenie Le Sommer, are leaving in the summer.


The Sun
33 minutes ago
- The Sun
Dakuwaqa Signs with Nice After Biting Incident Suspension
FORMER Olympic rugby sevens champion Masivesi Dakuwaqa will join French third-tier club Nice for next season, a week after being handed a suspended prison sentence for biting a team-mate, a club source told AFP. In January, Rio 2016 gold medallist Dakuwaqa bit Pierre Pages' cheek during a night out when they were both at second-tier outfit Biarritz. Last week, Fijian 31-year-old Dakuwaqa was handed an eight-month suspended sentence and a 300 euros ($342) fine for the incident. The back-rower, who can also feature at centre and on the wing was sacked by the Basque side and joined third division Perigueux on a short-term deal. Nice finished bottom of ProD2 this season after just one campaign in the second division and will be coached by Gareth Baber, who was Fiji sevens coach between 2016 and 2021, next season. They have also signed Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu and ex-South Africa back-rower Uzair Cassiem for the coming campaign.


The Sun
38 minutes ago
- The Sun
Ex-Barca boss Giraldez takes over as coach of Lyon women
FORMER Barcelona women's coach Jonatan Giraldez has been hired by French champions Lyon on a three-year deal, the club said on Monday. The 33-year-old Spaniard took over from Joe Montemurro who was appointed head coach of the Australian national women's team earlier on Monday. During his time at the helm of Barcela the club won the Champions League in 2023 and 2024 as well as three national league titles. Lyon owner Michele Kang, who employed Giraldez at another of her clubs, Washington Spirit, said she hoped he would 'lift the team to new heights'. Lyon sealed their fourth consecutive women's French league title last Friday but went out of the Champions League in the semi-finals when they were beaten by tournament winners Arsenal. Lyon now face a rebuilding phase as several experienced players, including 36-year-old Eugenie Le Sommer, are leaving in the summer.