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NBC News
an hour ago
- Business
- NBC News
They lost Messi, Mbappé and Neymar — but may finally win club soccer's biggest prize
In the summer of 2021, Paris Saint-Germain had seemingly everything it needed to get the one thing it didn't have: a reputation as one of global soccer's big winners. Its roster appeared built out of a video game. Kylian Mbappé, the 22-year-old World Cup champion from France, alongside Brazilian superstar Neymar and, in a breathtaking signing, Lionel Messi, the Argentine many considered the world's best player of all time. The collection of three of the world's best goal-scorers — and a total payroll of nearly $430 million — was made possible by the club's equally staggering resources. Since 2011, PSG has been owned by an arm of Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, which spent freely to establish it among the world's most accomplished clubs. Although PSG routinely won France's top soccer division, it had never won the Champions League, Europe's annual and most prestigious club tournament, and only once played for the title. By some metrics, the two-year run featuring Mbappé, Messi and Neymar was a smashing success. Star-studded PSG raked in more than $1 billion in revenue, according to the club. But by exiting the Champions League in the round of 16 in 2022 and 2023, and with Mbappé, Neymar and Messi playing together in only about a third of their potential games, PSG never came close to conquering Europe on the field. All three stars eventually departed, replaced by younger, less expensive successors. For most clubs, that would have signaled the start of a rebuild. Instead, just two years later, a less-heralded, less-expensive version of PSG could win the most coveted title that eluded its starrier predecessors when it plays Internazionale of Milan in the Champions League final Saturday in Munich. A Champions League trophy would be notable not only for PSG, one of the most prominent clubs never to have won the tournament. Only one team from France has ever won it, and that was 32 years ago. PSG enters as the favorite because under manager Luis Enrique, it operates no longer as a star system but as a team, said NBC Sports analyst Robbie Mustoe, a former English Premier League player. 'There's a lot of evidence that having star players in a team doesn't make a team, and PSG is such a great example with Neymar and Lionel Messi and Mbappé and everybody else they've had there,' Mustoe said. 'It takes an all-around team, and you can't really have passengers too much now. And what I mean by that is players that switch on when they have the ball and switch off when they don't have the ball. 'PSG is such an amazing example of this, where they changed the manager, they obviously got rid of all the star players, they went younger, they went hungrier.' Even with Mbappé only 22 years old in 2021, the average age on PSG's roster that season was 27.8, two years older than on its average opponent, thanks to 34-year-old Messi's joining 29-year-old Neymar and 33-year-old Ángel Di Maria. This season, the team's average age is 25, two years younger than that of its average opponent, a reflection of PSG's decision after the 2023 season to "completely change its strategy" of roster construction, Alice Lefebvre, a reporter for Agence France-Presse who covers PSG, said by email. "The club's management have stopped obsessing over the Champions League, as they had done until now, and have officially stated that they are giving themselves time to build a project around the young players and youngsters coming through the Parisian training program," Lefebvre wrote. "As the season progressed, despite some internal tensions between a few players and Luis Enrique at the start of the season, a new spirit began to permeate the team. Everyone plays for everyone, and everyone presses for the ball, just as the coach wants." Enrique and sporting director Luís Campos recruited younger players including French winger Désiré Doué, 20, a breakout star for whom the team paid $54 million to acquire last summer, João Neves and Willian Pacho. The oldest mainstay is 31-year-old Brazilian defender Marquinhos. The majority of the team is either in its prime, such as leading scorer Ousmane Dembélé, or entering it, like 22-year-old Bradley Barcola, whom Enrique has called 'the best passer in Ligue 1; he's one of the best dribblers in Europe.' The arrival in January of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Italy strengthened PSG's ability to attack. Weaving it all together is Enrique, who was used to high-profile, high-pressure jobs before, after having managed Barcelona to a Champions League title, then coached the Spanish national team. When PSG hired him in 2023 after Messi had left and Neymar was in the process of exiting, Enrique arrived with a specific project, Lefebvre wrote, of getting young players who would defend and attack in unison. In Champions League competition, PSG owns the fourth-highest passing accuracy and the third-highest possession percentage. "As long as Luis Enrique is here, the strategy will remain one of youth rather than stars," Lefebvre wrote. Enrique was also tasked with overhauling a change in attitude. The team would be built no longer on the potential brilliance of three players, but on the doggedness of all 11. 'A Paris Saint-Germain player has to get used to starting, coming off the bench or even not being called up,' Enrique told reporters amid the team's Champions League run. 'We make sure that every player who comes on is at 100% and gives his all.' Perhaps the coach's best work has been coaxing a career-best season out of Dembélé, whose potential had always been evident. Barcelona signed Dembélé in 2017 with ambitions of his becoming the successor to its outgoing star Neymar. Instead, during six inconsistent seasons combined, he scored 24 goals and assisted on 34 more. When PSG needed its own Neymar replacement in 2023, it placed its hopes on Dembélé, too. This season, his second for PSG, Dembélé scored 21 goals during the domestic season and eight more in 14 Champions League matches, and he added 10 assists between the two. Enrique's coaching has mimicked Dembélé's role earlier in his career at clubs in France and Germany, allowing for 'more freedom to go everywhere on the pitch,' Dembélé said this week. 'I have my bearings,' he said 'I just try to create space and to cause a bit of chaos in midfield. This has been paying off so far.' Relative to its past, PSG reined in its payroll this season to $220 million, a number that is nonetheless still larger than that of the three next-high-spending teams in France's top division combined and that would also rank second-highest in England's Premier League, the world's richest domestic soccer league. What is different is that now PSG could have a trophy to show for all that spending. While past PSG teams weren't prepared to 'suffer,' said Mustoe — a buzzword in global soccer with the loose definition of a team's ability to endure its struggles — this year, 'they have a team that suffers with immense ability,' he said. PSG proved it during the knockout stage of the Champions League, when advancing relies on the aggregate score of a two-game series. PSG lost in the round of 16 to Liverpool at home, then held firm to win on the road on penalties and advance. After it beat Aston Villa in the quarterfinals, it won again on the road to open its semifinal against Arsenal, then advanced to only the club's second Champions League final with a home win on May 7. 'If we were to analyze everything that has happened in the UEFA Champions League this season, I think it would make a great thriller or horror film or even a very good series, because it has had a bit of everything,' Enrique, who managed Barcelona to a Champions League title a decade ago, said this week. 'I think we should be proud of what we've achieved. However, we have to finish the job because what we're really aiming for is to make history.'
Sinar Daily
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Sinar Daily
Maresca blasts critics after Chelsea qualify for Champions League
The Blues finished fourth in the Premier League, shattering seventh-placed Forest's own bid for a top five berth. 26 May 2025 09:11am Chelsea's Italian head coach Enzo Maresca (R) reacts at Chelsea's English midfielder #20 Cole Palmer during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Chelsea at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on May 25, 2025. (Photo by Ben STANSALL/AFP) NOTTINGHAM - Enzo Maresca launched a foul-mouthed rant at Chelsea's critics after his team qualified for the Champions League with a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Levi Colwill's 50th-minute tap-in booked Chelsea's return to Europe's elite club competition after a two-year absence. Chelsea players celebrate after the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Chelsea at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on May 25, 2025. Chelsea won the match 1-0. (Photo by Ben STANSALL/AFP) The Blues finished fourth in the Premier League, shattering seventh-placed Forest's own bid for a top five berth. Chelsea can complete a memorable first season in charge for Maresca by beating Real Betis in Wednesday's UEFA Conference League final in Poland. They are aiming to become the first team to win all three UEFA competitions after their past success in the Champions League and Europa League. Despite Chelsea's relative success, criticism has never been far away for Maresca, whose conservative tactics have been jeered by frustrated fans at times. Having led the youngest team in Premier League history into the Champions League, Maresca was happy to shove the taunts back down his critics' throats. "I didn't have any doubt, to be honest, about the players, I said that the doubt was from outside," he said. "All the ones that think they are the answer, or all the ones that they are the truth, they were saying that we are too young, we are not good enough. "They were saying that we were not able to win on this pitch because we are too young, because we are not experienced. "Unfortunately for them, they'll be all wrong, the ones that think they are the truth and they have the answer for everything. "In English we say 'F Off' to all of them. The players, they deserve that, I have said before, they have been fantastic." 'It was not a disaster' The defiant Maresca, who was hired from Leicester after winning promotion last year and is in only his second season as a manager, maintained his combative blast as he demanded respect for Chelsea's top five finish. "Manchester City lost here. Arsenal drew here. Liverpool drew here. Chelsea won. It's not easy. The players, they show how good they are," he said. "We are in business where the people judge us because of the results, and today, in case we were not able to win the game, probably all of you judge this season a disaster, but it was not a disaster." Forest had to win and hope other results went their way to reach the Champions League for the first time since 1980-81. Despite Newcastle and Aston Villa losing, Forest will play in the third-tier UEFA Conference League next season. Nuno Espirito Santo's side were able to win only one of their last five games, but the Portuguese said the season was a success. "When you look back at all of the season, I think it's a good season. We have been able to improve many things in our team and we have a good platform," he said. "We should be proud of the way we have a group of people who want to help each other to improve, including through bad times like today. We stick together. "We are disappointed. But in a couple of hours you will look back and realise it's been good. "They gave it their all. That's why I say we should be proud. Now we have to rest, and deservedly so." - AFP More Like This
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
What Kieran Tierney's Celtic mate really thinks of superstar's Arsenal plastic bag moment
Parkhead punters love the down to earth star but Charlie Mulgrew believes there's much more to the hero than meets the eye Celtic have already got their blockbuster signing in the bag this summer – and it won't come with a fancy designer label. The big name new arrival is more likely to turn up at Parkhead with a couple of placcy bags under his arms than some trendy luggage. And that's one of the many reasons Hoops fans love Kieran Tierney. The returning hero is a top class player who is still bang in his prime. The 27-year-old was sensational in his first stint at Celtic and superb in the English Premier League with Arsenal – where there were a queue of clubs looking to snap him up at the end of his Emirates contract. Yet Tierney has always remained the same down-to-earth lad from Wishaw despite all his fame and fortune. And punters loved it when he was snapped turning up for Scotland duty with plastic bags rather than the usual Louis Vuitton numbers usually spotted with big time pros. It just summed him up, but former teammate Charlie Mulgrew reckons people shouldn't be fooled by the everyman image. Tierney is something special but it's not the baggage claim that matters – it's what's under his shirt. Mulgrew was part of the Hoops squad when the full back burst into the Hoops side at 17-years-old and immediately clocked how the youngster carried himself. He said: 'KT just loves playing football. But I don't buy into the plastic bags thing though. 'It can be perceived in any way. It doesn't mean because you've got a nice bag you're no into football! 'I've seen plenty of boys with nice bags that are just the same as KT. 'People think he just loves his football because he's got a Farmfoods bag – meanwhile some kid gets written off as big time because he's got a nice bag. 'There's more to it than that – and more to him as well. 'It doesn't work that way. Wee Jamesie Forrest had a nice bag! "In fact, I bumped into him the other day and he had a nice watch ! "It doesn't mean he's not the same old Jamesie and he's chucked it and gone big time. 'He's still the same down to earth, professional person you could meet. KT is exactly the same. A brilliant guy. 'It doesn't matter what you wear, whether or not you have a bag, a fancy watch or tattoos, it's about your attitude and how you conduct yourself.' Mulgrew was blown away by Tierney right from the off after former gaffer Ronny Delia summed the kid up to the first team. He said: 'KT was brilliant when he came in. It was a change room where you could sort of sink or swim, there was a fair bit of banter flying about. 'But he was writing about it, no messing about. 'He wasn't really getting a game for the 21s but he was training with us indoors one day when the pitches were frozen when he broke his leg – but was back in six weeks. 'He had the right attitude. You could just tell he was going to grab his opportunity with both hands. 'Technically he wasn't amazing but when you've got that attitude and you've got that sort of willingness to learn you see where you can go. 'I just remember thinking he doesn't care, he just flies in everywhere ! "Right away I thought , 'he's got a chance ', because a lot of time young boys will come in and they'll be a bit quiet, a bit nervous or scared to do anything out of the ordinary, make a tackle or look like they really want the ball. 'Whereas he just didn't care, he was absolutely at it and he knew the reason he was brought into the first team was because of the intensity that he'd been showing . "He just delivered that again. 'He was just smashed into people, he was sprinting about and straight away you're like 'who the heck this?' 'That's the kind of guy you want beside you in my team. "He was really good, he was like an older player right away.' Tierney will return older and wiser – and an even better player. The all-action Scotland man signed off for the Gunners with a goal last weekend and was given the perfect goodbye from Arsenal fans – many who wanted him to stay. They're loss is Celtic's gain though and Mulgrew is convinced his old pal will pick up where he left at Parkhead. The only question marks are around Tierney's fitness after suffering serious setbacks over the years. But Mulgrew has no fears and said: 'It's brilliant. It's a great signing and he's somebody that fans will take to straight away. Everyone will know what he brings – he's a top player. 'He'll be determined to be as successful as he's already been at Celtic. 'If you look over the last few seasons he keeps getting wee niggles. 'I've been there myself as a player, it's so frustrating when you start getting wee niggles it's really hard to put your finger on the reasons , but I'm sure he's done his research. 'It'll frustrate him, he'll be demented with it, but I'm sure he'll have a way now of dealing with these injuries and know his body even better now. "I'd imagine that the pace of the game in Scotland won't be quite like the Premier League as Celtic dominate a lot of the ball and you're not running against the ball a lot of the time, not doing as many high intensity runs.'
UPI
9 hours ago
- UPI
Liverpool man charged in soccer parade incident that injured scores
Rescue crews attend to victims after a man rammed a crowd gathered for a victory parade for the Liverpool FC soccer team in Liverpool on Monday. Photo by Adam Vaughan/EPA-EFE May 29 (UPI) -- Police have charged a 53-year-old man for driving his vehicle into a crowd of people who had gathered for a parade to celebrate Liverpool FC's title victory in the English Premier League soccer tournament. At least 79 people were injured in the incident Monday when the man, Paul Doyle, from the West Derby area of Liverpool, drove a Ford Galaxy into the celebrants in the city center, video verified by the BBC shows. Some fans tried to divert the car before it hit more parade-goers. Seven of the people who were injured remain hospitalized. "I hope that all of those who were injured or witnessed this terrible incident are able -- and given time -- to heal and recover," Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Jenny Sims said at a news conference, local media reported. Doyle was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving offenses and driving while "unfit through drugs," police reported. He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday. Police said the incident was not terrorism related and is believed to be an isolated event. Local media reported that the driver of the vehicle followed an ambulance into the area that was supposed to have been restricted to traffic for the parade, local media reported. Doyle's LinkedIn profile says that he is the head of cyber initiatives at a data center and served in the Royal Marines from 1990 to 1994. Local media reported that Doyle is a married father of three. "Neighbors described him as " such a normal Liverpool dad" and a "genuinely pleasant family man," The Times of London reported. "When police arrived at his house late on Monday night, the neighbors said they had assumed there had been a burglary." Police said officers are continuing to investigate the incident.
7NEWS
10 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Dad-of-three charged over Liverpool parade crash that injured dozens of soccer fans
The British motorist accused of ploughing a vehicle into a soccer victory parade in downtown Liverpool and injuring some 79 people was hit Thursday with seven criminal charges. Paul Doyle, 53, was charged just three days after Monday's mayhem marred the celebration of the Liverpool Football Club's English Premier League title win. Doyle, who lives in the West Derby section of Liverpool, is scheduled to appear before a judge on Friday, Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said during a press conference covered by The Liverpool Echo. Sims also confirmed that seven of the people who were injured on Monday remain hospitalised. 'I hope that all of those who were injured, or witnessed this terrible incident are able — given time — to heal and recover,' Sims said. Doyle is charged with one count of dangerous driving, two counts of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, two counts of causing unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and two counts of attempted unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Initially, Doyle was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and driving while under the influence of drugs. 'It is important to ensure that every victim gets justice they deserve,' Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire Sarah Hammond said at the press conference where Doyle's name was revealed. 'Monday's scenes reverberated around Liverpool and the country on that day of celebration.' Much of Liverpool was celebrating when, according to police, Doyle drove a Ford Galaxy into a crowd or revelers, pinning several beneath the wheels after it finally came to a halt. Describing it as a 'major incident', Merseyside police quickly released a statement identifying the suspect as 'white, British and from the Liverpool area.' Police also ruled out terrorism and insisted it was an isolated incident, but did not divulge any details about why the vehicle sped into the crowd. The BBC reported that Doyle was charged after 70 hours of questioning. 'The investigation is at an early stage,' Hammond said. 'Prosecutors and police are continuing to work at pace to review a huge volume of evidence. This includes multiple pieces of video footage and numerous witness statements.' Some of that footage was shared on social media minutes after the vehicle struck the crowd. Footage verified by NBC News showed angry fans kicking the vehicle and trying to tear open the doors to get at the driver. The vehicle could later be seen speeding up and driving through the crowd, knocking down a number of pedestrians, before it lurched forward again, leaving more people lying on the asphalt. Doyle, according to his LinkedIn profile, is an IT specialist who served in the Royal Marines from 1990 to 1994. Local media said he was also a married father of three teenagers. 'Neighbours described him as 'such a normal Liverpool dad' and a 'genuinely pleasant family man',' The Times of London reported. 'When police arrived at his house late on Monday night, the neighbours said they assumed there had been a burglary.' Stream free on
