Marquinhos, the 32-year-old central defender and captain of Paris Saint-Germain, spoke to Sky Sport Italia this Wednesday as part of Media Day to discuss the 2025-2026 Champions League final against Arsenal on Saturday, May 30.
Marquinhos: “Like brothers, like a real team.”
How are you approaching this match and what do you want to pass on to the younger players?
With experience, with what I’ve been through in football, it gives me serenity for these moments. The goal of football is to enjoy it. We think about everything we’ve done since we were little, with passion and joy, and that’s what I want to bring to the final. That’s what Luis Enrique instills, with the desire to do things together, to attack and defend together. Like brothers, like a real team. We work towards that goal every day to prepare for the final.
Marquinhos: “Of course, a great professional, but also a great person.”
Did Luis Enrique change everything at PSG?
Yes, he brought the right philosophy for modern football. Luis Enrique is always behind us, pushing us to do our best in attack and defense. We always have to give our all, every day. You can see that philosophy. We have to be involved.
In defense, we have an offensive role. That’s modern football, with many roles for a player. It allows us to win important titles. Luis Enrique is also a great person, a great manager of the team. Being a great professional, of course, but also a great person, makes a difference over the course of a season.
What happens when a player doesn’t want to defend?
He doesn’t play (laughs).
Marquinhos: “They’re one of the toughest teams to play against.”
Arsenal’s strengths?
They’re a complete team, capable of both defending and attacking. They’re a very complete team. We’ve already played against Arsenal several times; they’re one of the toughest teams to face. It will be a very difficult match, and we’re preparing to put on a great performance.
The World Cup with Ancelotti?
It’s very special to be called up to the Brazilian national team, even more so for the World Cup. We’ve dreamed of it since we were children. It’s an honor. We have Italians on the staff, and we sometimes speak Italian. We hope to achieve great things in the competition.
Italy’s absent?
It’s a bit sad; they’re a great footballing nation. It’s a shame. We hope to have some fans there, because we have Carlo Ancelotti with us (smiles).
