fan ratings reveal sentiments after psg’s champions league triumph over arsenal
Following Paris Saint-Germain’s second consecutive Champions League title victory on Saturday in Budapest against Arsenal (1-1, 4-3 t.a.b.), a significant number of fans participated in rating the players from this memorable final. These public evaluations largely presented a more generous outlook compared to the assessments provided by sports journalists.
After an arduous and captivating final, which saw PSG emerge victorious over Arsenal in Budapest, an impressive contingent of over 15,000 online football enthusiasts cast their votes to rate the performances of Luis Enrique’s squad. The Spanish coach, who secured his third Champions League title, received a notable average score of 7.6 from the public, a clear improvement over the 6 points awarded by the editorial team.
Once Paris Saint-Germain found their equalizer, the influence of João Neves became undeniably prominent. The Portuguese midfielder, a constant presence in challenges until the final whistle, earned the highest fan rating of the match with 7.2. This public consensus mirrored the professional assessment, which also gave him a strong 7. Following closely were Marquinhos (6.6 from fans) and Willian Pacho (6.6 from fans), completing the top three Parisian performers. Interestingly, the Brazilian captain also garnered a 7 from journalists, while Pacho received a 6.
The defensive line also received high praise from voters, with all ratings at or above 6. Achraf Hakimi secured a 6.2, and Nuno Mendes earned a 6. However, the sentiment for the Portuguese full-back diverged significantly from professional journalists, who rated him a 4, largely due to his missed penalty during the shootout.
Fabian Ruiz, psg’s lowest-rated player by fans
In the attacking department, only Fabian Ruiz (5.8) received a score below 6. The Spanish midfielder’s initial struggles, marked by several turnovers and a perceived lack of composure, likely influenced his rating. In midfield, Vitinha, who was substituted due to cramps, achieved a commendable 6.4 from the public, significantly higher than the 5 awarded by journalists. Goalkeeper Matveï Safonov, despite not being heavily tested throughout the match, impressed online voters, earning a 6.2, in stark contrast to the 5 he received from reporters.
The forward players also benefited from the public’s leniency. Both Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé were each given a 6.1 by fans, while journalists had assigned them a 5. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also stood out with a 6.2, slightly surpassing the 6 he received from the press, notably for winning the penalty that led to PSG’s crucial equalizer.
