With just one season under their belt at Paris Saint-Germain, captain Marquinhos is still riding the high from last year’s dramatic Champions League final victory over Inter Milan (5-0)—yet the club is already poised to chase another historic triumph. Only Real Madrid has managed to claim back-to-back titles in the modern era of the competition, a feat achieved even three times between 2016 and 2018.

“Once you’ve lived that moment, the hunger to relive it never fades,” Marquinhos shared, recalling how his father made the journey to Budapest with friends to witness the triumph firsthand. The 17,000 Parisian supporters who secured tickets to the Puskas Arena are equally desperate for a repeat celebration. In the heart of the capital, the Parc des Princes and every packed bar will buzz with anticipation, while 8,000 law enforcement officers stand ready to maintain order.

Even France’s rising tennis sensation, Moïse Kouame, has vowed to play his third round at Roland-Garros on Saturday before cheering on his beloved club in the final.

To replicate last season’s euphoria, Paris must tame an Arsenal side brimming with confidence after securing its first Premier League title in 22 years—a victory celebrated with unbridled passion by the club and its global fanbase.

“Winning the world’s toughest league has given us immense belief,” declared captain Martin Odegaard. It’s “a springboard to even greater achievements,” added manager Mikel Arteta, the architect behind the club’s transformation and a figure once criticized for past setbacks. The English club’s press conference, which has never lifted the Champions League trophy, revolved around the Premier League triumph, with Bukayo Saka and Odegaard still visibly moved by their recent success—yet the real test will be channeling that emotion into a final.

Across the pitch, PSG manager Luis Enrique—an icon of this relentless team—teased Arsenal: “Yes, winning the Champions League for the first time would be powerful motivation, but you know what’s even stronger? Winning it twice in a row.”

Paris will aim to dictate a frenetic pace and unleash its attacking flair against an Arsenal side known for compact defending and lethal set-piece threats.

thirst for silverware

“We’re two teams with similar ambitions but different systems—both score freely and defend resolutely,” Luis Enrique noted. He doesn’t expect a one-sided affair like the demolition of Inter Milan, where the outcome was decided early. “Last year was the exception. A final is always unpredictable; right now, there are no clear favorites,” he cautioned.

Paris won’t take anything for granted, having battled injuries and a sluggish start in early 2026 before roaring back to dominance. The breathtaking semi-final clash with Bayern Munich (5-4, 1-1)—another title contender—confirmed this PSG’s insatiable appetite for trophies.

Luis Enrique made his expectations clear at the end of last season: the club’s goal is to establish a new European dynasty. Judging by their form, his players have taken that mission to heart.