No Mbappé, no problem as Enrique completes PSG transformation with a bang
Discipline, long elusive at PSG, has become a hallmark. When Dembele was late to training ahead of a Champions League match at Arsenal, Luis Enrique left him out of the squad.
PSG lost 2-0, but the coach's authority was affirmed. 'That was my best decision of the season,' he later said. And Dembele returned transformed into a formidable forward after years spent being a poster boy for unfulfilled potential.
Saturday's final showcased everything Luis Enrique had instilled. PSG showed control, confidence and their high pressing proved too much to handle for Inter.
The title ends a 14-year wait for Qatar Sports Investments, who bought the club in 2011 with the stated aim of dominating Europe. That dream is now reality — not with a galaxy of stars, but with a system built to last.
Luis Enrique did not just win the Champions League. He reshaped Paris St Germain into something new and as he once claimed, something better.
Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
32 minutes ago
- IOL News
PSG lead new revolution rooted in youth, unity and smart spending
Paris Saint-Germain's Desire Doue, centre, celebrates with Joao Neves and Marquinhos after scoring PSG's third goal during the Uefa Champions League final against Inter Milan in Munich on Saturday night. Photo: AFP Image: AFP The revolution in Paris that led Luis Enrique's team to Uefa Champions League glory for the first time is being echoed across Europe, as even clubs that once embodied the Galácticos-era have abandoned efforts to 'buy' the top prize in European football. The PSG coach is now reaping the plaudits for building an energetic, youthful and dynamic team that is mesmerising to watch. It is built on teamwork and unity of purpose, rather than relying on the individual brilliance of former megastars, such as Kylian Mbappé, Neymar or Lionel Messi. Youngsters like Désiré Doué, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Bradley Barcola and Senny Mayulu have Paris fans salivating at the prospect of years of European dominance. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The change in direction at PSG, majority-owned by Qatari government-backed investment fund Qatar Sports Investments, is not unique. Barcelona won La Liga with a modestly priced squad — by their former lofty standards — and an increasing reliance on young, homegrown talent. Even the pioneers of the Galácticos-era, Real Madrid, are no longer throwing 'silly money' at the world's best players. Then again, they don't need to — playing at the Bernabéu remains the dream of countless players, particularly those nearing the end of their contracts. The relatively slow pace of deals announced so far in the current transfer market may indicate a more cautious approach to player recruitment, even among teams with clear squad gaps. The need to abide by financial fair play rules may be a factor, but it does not entirely explain the shift in mentality. Kylian Mbappe left PSG for Real Madrid. His former team seem to have only got stronger since his departure. Image: Ander Gillenea / AFP In England, traditional big spenders Manchester City recently withdrew from the race for Germany international star Florian Wirtz, citing an unrealistic price tag. That has left the door open for champions Liverpool, who are reportedly closing in on a deal worth more than £100 million for one of the most in-demand players in Europe. There was a time when such high-profile signings were considered the exclusive preserve of only a handful of clubs, but the times are changing. City also made no blockbuster signings during the January transfer window, despite being one of the more active clubs historically. Newcastle United are yet to fully flex the financial muscle of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), but that could change with a return to the Champions League for Eddie Howe's overachievers. The party has seemingly not stopped in Paris since PSG won the Uefa Champions League. Photo: AFP Image: AFP
The Citizen
13 hours ago
- The Citizen
Royal rebels in Munich: Anele Mdoda and hubby enjoy time in Germany
While in Germany, the couple had the opportunity to mingle with retired footballers Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thiago Alcântara. Anele Mdoda and her husband Bonelela 'Buzza' James enjoyed their time in Germany over the weekend. Picture: zintathu/Instagram Broadcaster and entrepreneur Anele Mdoda and her hubby Bonelela 'Buzza' James enjoyed Germany over the weekend. The newlyweds spent the weekend in Europe to watch the UEFA Champions League final, which was held in Munich, Germany. Since tying the knot in April and making their relationship public, the pair has shared videos and images of each other on their social media pages. The couple also attended the recent Polo where Mdoda was dressed as the 'matriarch who had to look after the family business after all the men were offed by the enemy'. Photos of their traditional wedding were widely shared on social media over the weekend. James is a respected lawyer and Xhosa royal from the AbaThembu tribe. ALSO READ: WATCH: 'From radio queen to royal queen': Reactions as Anele Mdoda ties the knot James hops on the husband doing everything trend The couple hopped on the 'My Name Is' trend, where the husband introduces himself and lists the chores he does around the house, while the woman simply says her name. The trend pokes fun at the daily lives of married couples and how they split chores. Soon after landing in Germany, Mdoda and her husband played the game by posting James, seemingly doing all the work while on holiday. 'Hi, I'm Buzza James. I've got all the luggage, got the room key, did the check in,' says James while his wife just puts on lip gloss on her lips. 'Hi, I'm Buzza James, I found the restaurant and I ordered the food and the beers,' said James in their version of the social media trend. Looking cute, with beer in hand, Mdoda just said: 'Hi, I'm Anele,' and took a sip of her beer. While in Germany, the couple had the opportunity to mingle with retired footballers Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thiago Alcântara. 'What a dream! The city is electric & PSG's aiming for glory. Munich's got that final buzz in the air, and it's pumping. This is not just another game; it's the pinnacle of football, where swagger meets legacy,' James wrote in excitement before the game. Mdoda and James were part of a group of soccer fans that were flown to Germany by Champions League sponsors Heineken to watch the final between eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan. SuperSport presenter Tshepang Mollison, a social media influencer popularly known as Twiggy Moli was one of the other South Africans who watched the game live at the stadium. While some got to watch the game live at the stadium, a handful of South African fans gathered to watch the match at the Dome in Nasrec, South of Johannesburg. There were performances by Kwesta, Anatii, and recent Metro FM award winner K.O. Broadcaster Robert Marawa hosted the House Ultimate Champions League Final Viewing Experience. 'It is a big occasion, not just for football lovers but for socialites,' said former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe, speaking to The Citizen on the day. 'But the main attraction is the game.' NOW READ: Holding cell drama in Mozambique: Scotts Maphuma in 'hot water' over no-show
The Citizen
14 hours ago
- The Citizen
PICTURES: The best from the world of sport over the past weekend
PICTURES: The best from the world of sport over the past weekend Here is a selection of the best sporting pictures from around the world over the last weekend. Harold Vorster of the Bulls on his way to scoring a try during their United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against Edinburgh at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images Fez Mbatha of the Sharks is helped over the tryline by his captain Eben Etzebeth during their United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against Munster at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday. Picture: Steve Haag/Gallo Images Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos lifts the Uefa Champions League trophy surrounded by team-mates at the at the Parc des Princes Stadium on Sunday after they beat Inter Milan 5-0 in the final in Munich on Saturday. Picture: Thibaud Moritz/AFP Paris Saint-Germain's players light smoke flares as they parade on a bus on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris a day after they won the Champions League. Picture: Thibaud Moritz/AFP Pyramids' Egyptian defender Ahmed Samy raises the trophy as his team-mates celebrate winning the CAF Champions League final against Mamelodi Sundowns at 30 June Stadium in Cairo on June 1, 2025. Picture: Khaled Desouki / AFP McLaren's Australian driver Oscar Piastri crosses the finish line to win the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo on Sunday. Picture: Albert Gea/AFP Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after beating American Amanda Anisimova in the fourth round of the French Open at Roland Garros Complex on Sunday. Picture: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP Frances Tiafoe of the US serves to Germany's Daniel Altmaier during their fourth round match at the French Open at Roland Garros on Sunday. Picture: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP Team Visma-Lease a Bike's British rider Simon Yates kisses the Giro d'Italia trophy wearing the pink jersey of the overall winner after the 21st and last stage in Rome on Sunday. Picture: Luca Bettini/AFP England's Joe Root celebrates after hitting the winning runs to win the second one-day international against the West Indies at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Sunday. Picture: Paul Ellis/AFP Siyakholwa Kuse (right) and Samuel Salva trade punches during their fight at the Coronation Boxing Tournament at Emperors Palace on Saturday. Picture: James Gradidge/Gallo Images Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia celebrate their victory against Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae of South Korea in their men's doubles final match at the Singapore Open badminton tournament in Singapore on Sunday. Picture: Roslan Rahman/AFP
