"They've learned" - Claude Makelele on new era for Paris Saint-Germain

Liam Williams Published: 29 May 25 09:47

Paris Saint-Germain prepare for their second UEFA Champions League final where they'll take on three-time winners Inter in Munich.

PSG's first UEFA Champions League final saw them beaten 1-0 by Bayern Munich, despite boasting a side with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in attack. Since the club's Qatari takeover in 2011, the Parisians have consistently boasted some of the biggest names in world football, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Beckham, Neymar, Mbappe and Lionel Messi.

For the first time since the takeover, PSG went into a campaign without a worldwide superstar and the decision appears to have paid dividends. While still winning a domestic double, PSG are now favourites to complete a historic Treble, and former captain Claude Makelele says the club have finally recognised what is required.

"They’ve learned," said Makelele "You don’t just collect all the big players, put them together and win trophies, it doesn’t work this way. You need to be a team.

"It’s a different generation, but in my time, we built a team at Real Madrid and we built a team at Chelsea. We had big players but we also had strong leadership and a togetherness. The only thing we were thinking: win. After the game, maybe we don’t drink or party, but in the squad, we’re always thinking about winning together and performing together.

"Paris Saint-Germain recently have built this kind of atmosphere. Luis Enrique did this before in Barcelona, he knows exactly how to build a squad. Sometimes you forget they’re human beings, but he knows how to talk with the players and understand them. He’s done a great job in a short time."

While Makelele will be cheering on his old club on Saturday night, he recognises how tight the game looks on paper.

"It’s a difficult game to predict because we’re talking about two good teams," said Makelele. "Inter have the habit of playing in finals of this competition, also they eliminated a good team like Barcelona, but Paris Saint-Germain eliminated Arsenal. They both deserve to be in the final.

"I hope Paris win! I was happy playing there, I was the captain there. Inter have already won this trophy, but the prospect of losing two finals in three years makes them dangerous.

"With Paris, they’ve got a good manager in Luis Enrique, and a strong squad that gives them a different platform with the way they play."

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