Paris Saint-Germain has undergone a significant transformation since Qatar Sports Investments took ownership in 2011. Prior to this, the club hadn`t won Ligue 1 since the 1993-94 campaign and hadn`t participated in a major European final since their victory in the Intertoto Cup during the 2001-02 season. Fast forward to today, and they have secured their spot in the Champions League final, where they are scheduled to play Inter on May 31. This achievement follows their recent success in clinching the domestic league title for the eighth time in the past ten seasons. This remarkable season, which holds the potential for a treble, has been accomplished even without their record goalscorer, Kylian Mbappe, who transferred to Real Madrid last summer.
What was widely anticipated to be a transitional or rebuilding year has surprisingly culminated in the formation of one of PSG`s strongest squads in recent history. This team appears poised to propel the club to unprecedented heights by potentially securing the first Champions League title in its history. Such a triumph would be a monumental accomplishment not only for PSG but also for French football as a whole. France has not seen a club win the Champions League since Marseille`s victory in 1993, a long drought that PSG now has the opportunity to end.
Amidst this pivotal moment, former French international and current CBS Sports analyst Thierry Henry offered heartfelt praise for Paris Saint-Germain`s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
“Being French, I fully understand the pressure you`ve been under,” Henry commented. “This city is not easy when things aren`t going well, and I have to commend you for always conducting yourself with great integrity. You genuinely listened to what was needed; we discussed it, particularly the necessity for the team at that time to embrace younger talent.”
Henry continued, “When you decided to bring in Luis Enrique, I distinctly remember telling you, `You`ve hired a genuinely top-class coach; he doesn`t mess around, you`ll see.` But beyond that, I wanted to express my gratitude because you have profoundly altered the public perception of Paris Saint-Germain. It wasn`t this way when I was growing up. You`ve changed everything – the community connection, making games accessible for people to watch, which wasn`t always the case. So, my sincere hope is that you can take this final step and add that coveted star [the Champions League title]. I know you knocked out a team dear to me, but I truly want Paris Saint-Germain to win this. It would be the ultimate validation for everything you`ve achieved and the way you`ve achieved it. You have truly succeeded in putting Paris back on the map.”
How to watch the Champions League final and betting odds
- Date: Saturday, May 31 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Allianz Arena — Munich, Germany
- TV: CBS | Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Paris Saint-Germain +105; Draw +240; Inter +270
