Carnival atmosphere in Paris after Champions League success
Thousands of fans lined the Champs Elysees on Sunday as Paris St Germain celebrated their Champions League triumph.
PSG brought the trophy back to Paris for the first time after thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich on Saturday night – the record margin of victory in a Champions League final.
The number of fans on the Champs Elysees were limited to 100,000 after violence marred PSG's stunning victory.
Two people died and the French interior ministry reported 559 arrests were made across France during the celebrations.
But there was a carnival atmosphere in Paris as fans waved flags, lit flares and belted out the Queen anthem 'We Are The Champions'.
An open top double-decker bus in the PSG colours of blue, red and white, with the words 'Champions D'Europe' written on it, made its way slowly down the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, chairman of club owners Qatar Sports Investments, and head coach Luis Enrique – who won the Champions League in 2015 with Barcelona and became the seventh manager to lift the trophy with two different clubs – led the celebrations.
The trophy was passed down the bus to every player, who were proudly wearing their winner's medals.
Defender Presnel Kimpembe grabbed the microphone to sing 'Ici c'est Paris!' (This is Paris) and captain Marquinhos urged FIFA to reward Ousmane Dembele for his efforts by saying 'Ousmane, Ballon d'Or.'
France forward Dembele scored eight goals in PSG's European campaign and was named by UEFA as the best player in this season's Champions League.
🏆 UEFA Champions League Player of the Season: Ousmane Dembélé! 👏 #UCL | @PSG_inside pic.twitter.com/1BQFl4Ficf
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 1, 2025
After the parade, the players and staff were received at the Elysee Palace by French president Emmanuel Macron.
'At last it's Paris,' said Macron. 'A lot of people know that as a teenage, 32 years ago, I was supporting the OM (Olympique Marseille) team in Munich.
'Now the Paris team has carried off the Champions League and you did it in a most sublime, fantastic way.
'You brought Paris to the top of Europe and you gave us all something to live for and be excited about together.
'It is a team with willpower, ambition and a sense of solidarity.
'That's the football we like to see and that's the football you showed us – and I would like to say to Luis Enrique, 'We owe a lot to you for this victory'.
'You did it, finally Paris won, and this victory owes a lot to you Mr President (Al-Khelaifi). For 14 years you've been through a lot and you've always defended the club, the city and French football.
'There were years where it was hard for Qatar, but they kept believing in PSG.'
The celebrations will conclude at the Parc des Princes on Sunday evening with a trophy presentation in front of the club's season ticket holders.
There will also be a closing lap of honour from the players.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Arsenal and Chelsea dealt blow in pursuit of £49m transfer target
Arsenal and Chelsea have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, according to reports. Both Premier League clubs are seeking wide attacking reinforcements in the summer transfer window and had earmarked WIlliams as a potential target. Arsenal, in particular, were keen on on securing a deal, having failed with a move to sign the 22-year-old following Spain's success at Euro 2024 Andrea Berta, the club's new sporting director, had even met representatives to discuss a deal for the winger who has a €58 million (£49m) release clause in his current deal. Williams enjoyed a solid season with Athletic, scoring 11 goals and seven assists in all competitions to help guide his boyhood club back into the Champions League. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. And the Spain international could now be set to extend his stay with the club, with Ben Jacobs reporting that he has begun talks over renewing his contract, which is due to expire in June 2027. While talks are still at an early stage, reports suggest that Williams could be offered a yearly salary of €10m (£8.5m) which would represent a significant increase on his current earnings. A new deal would also come with an increased release clause, which could price potential suitors out of a deal. Barcelona were previously interested in Williams' signature, but the Catalan giants have indicated that they will not look to sign the Spaniard this summer. 'He was one of the candidates we were looking at when we were evaluating options,' Barcelona president Juan Laporta told TV3 when asked about Barca's interest in Williams. 'We have a good profile of this player, who is an excellent player, but I think at this moment they are evaluating other options.' More Trending Arsenal and Chelsea, meanwhile, could also turn their attentions elsewhere as they plot reinforcements for their respective squads. Both clubs have been heavily linked with a move for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, although new manager Xabi Alonso has been keen to quash speculation linking the Brazilian with a summer exit. Chelsea have also reportedly opened talks to sign Borussia Dortmund youngster Jamie Gittens. The Englishman is keen on a move away from the Bundesliga club and could be available for a fee in the region of £50m. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Bruno Fernandes reveals why he rejected Al-Hilal transfer to stay at Man Utd MORE: Chelsea make transfer enquiry for Newcastle target who has worked with Enzo Maresca MORE: John Obi Mikel reveals if Victor Osimhen will join Man Utd or Arsenal this summer
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool transfer belief behind huge Wirtz bid as Slot eyes next two targets
Mirror Football takes a look at Liverpool's summer transfer window so far in what is expected to be a busy couple of months as boss Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes work away The confetti had barely been cleared from the Anfield pitch after Liverpool 's Premier League title celebrations and the focus was firmly on making sure the trophy will remain there next season. This summer is going to be busy for the Reds if the first few days of the transfer market being open are anything to go by. This will be the window when Arne Slot starts to really put his touch to the team. Not only to make it more his squad, but also to ensure that they can compete on four fronts next season. This is a summer of adding more depth and moving on players who do not fit the criteria or - in the case of Caoimhin Kelleher - need to be guaranteed much more playing time. Those close to the club stress there is not a transfer war chest to be splashed out on but recruitment will be backed by the owners, FSG, and sales. The mantra remains the same. Spend on what they believe is value rather than for the sake of it. That is why there must be huge belief within the club that Florian Wirtz is a sensational footballer with potential to be even better otherwise they would not be submitting eye-watering nine-figure offers. While the signing of Jeremie Frimpong, also from Bayer Leverkusen, in a £29.5m deal is more the deals we have been accustomed to seeing the Reds make. A low - in today's market - release clause being met to get a highly-rated player who is versatile enough to play in different positions, even if pushing Conor Bradley for a right-back starting spot may be the initial aim. It is clear that this is - while being led by sporting director Richard Hughes - the start of Slot putting his touches to the team after his first summer saw the only arrival being Federico Chiesa on a cut-price deal. For all the talk of last season being Slot turning the Reds more orchestral than the heavy metal football of Jurgen Klopp, those within the club felt the changes to the playing style were more subtle than that. Slot worked with what he had got. He shifted Ryan Gravenberch to the No.6 role while the full-backs were not given as much freedom to roam and more control was asked from the front line. It brought a 20th English league title when many expected them to be battling it out for a Champions League spot at best. Yet Slot was still not content. He wants to win the title again but also go further in Europe. The Dutchman knew against PSG that Liverpool struggled with their frantic press and pace with the Reds going through a slight lull at the time they faced the soon-to-be-crowned European kings. That could have been down to his own overreliance on the same players. He was also concerned about how Newcastle 's midfield in the Carabao Cup final were too physical for the Reds but he is not adding muscle to match that. Instead, it appears more pace, flair and creativeness is how Slot is going about it. Wirtz is a deal that is expected to get done given the Reds have elbowed in ahead of Manchester City to ensure they're the destination of choice for the Germany attacking star. Frimpong is done with Trent Alexander-Arnold going to Real Madrid, with £10m banked to end his contract early. Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is wanted while a striker could be dependent on who leaves this summer. Slot is starting to structure his team with the rock-solid foundation of a Premier League title to build upon, along with Mo Salah 's goals, Virgil van Dijk's defensive prowess and Alisson's steady hands. It is why many across Europe believe Anfield is the place to be at the moment.
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Russell Martin knows exactly how much of £20million Rangers owners investment he needs to catch Celtic
The former Southampton boss is leading the charge to be named the next man in the Ibrox hot seat Former Rangers ' director of football Gordon Smith reckons that the next manager will need a the full £20million investment from the new owners for transfers. That's if the club are to catch Celtic. Rangers look set to appoint for former Southampton boss Russell Martin as Philippe Clement's permanent successor following the takeover by US tycoon Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises. A £20million investment has been promised by the consortium and Smith reckons that must be spent on recruits after a trophyless campaign which saw the Light Blues finish 17 points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership. And Smith has told the new men in charge that they will have to dig deep if they hope to close the gap on Brendan Rodgers' champions. Speaking to the Sunday Post, he told the new men at the helm in Govan: "Picking the right candidate to be manager is going to be crucial. "Every appointment is a challenge, in my opinion, because you are never completely sure how they are going to do. "There have been examples of people with a great track record coming in and struggling, likewise of people who are new to it doing really well. "They need to choose the right person and give them the backing they need to succeed. That is what the fans will be looking for. "In Scotland it is a two-horse race for the title. They need money to be able to compete because, from the fans' point of view, second is last. "Twenty million is the figure that has been talked about and, while that is not a huge amount in today's market, it is all about how you use it. "For Rangers and Celtic there are two ways to make significant amounts of extra revenue. "The first is by qualifying for the Champions League, the second is by developing players and transferring them on for higher fees. "Pick the right ones and you have the potential to make that kind of money in one deal. "Pick the right ones and you can get Rangers back to competing at the level they want to be at. "Celtic will be looking at this thinking we are going to have more of a domestic challenge. But, as much as they have been doing very well, things can change quickly in football. We saw that in 2020-21. "So, they might be looking at their structure too because they know, if Rangers begin to compete, things will get tougher for them because, as I say, second is last at the Old Firm. "Extra competition between the two clubs would also benefit the Scottish game on the whole." Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
