Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal on penalties (1-1 in regulation time, 4-3 on penalties) this Saturday at the Puskás Arena in Budapest in the 2025-2026 Champions League final. Following this victory, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi spoke to CBS Sports Golazo.
Al-Khelaïfi: “It’s superb. We’ve created a culture at the club, with the fans, the players, and the coach.”
“I have a lot of respect for Arsenal; they had a great season. But I think we showed that we have a better team. We controlled the game. We want to play attractive football and score goals.”
“The fans never stopped singing. What you’ve created is powerful, a real identity?”
“It’s superb. We’ve created a culture at the club, with the fans, the players, and the coach. We have the best fans in the world.” We were losing 2-0 against Monaco in the playoffs, and they were singing as if we were winning. It was the same last season against Manchester City. There’s a special relationship between the fans and the team; they always push us on.
You started the season with a penalty shootout win against Tottenham (European Super Cup) and you finished with this penalty shootout win against Arsenal?
It’s incredible. I think we created something truly special against English clubs. The team was fantastic. There’s a way to play against the big teams. Arsenal is a very big team, and we controlled the game.
Al-Khelaïfi: “We have experience against the big teams.”
What is your role in this success?
The players and the coach are the most important. When there are bad results, it’s my fault. That’s football; you have to accept it. I prefer to give credit to the players, the coach, and the fans.
Have you always believed in this?
At halftime, I told my family we were going to win. I’ve felt it these past few days. We have experience against the big teams. There was Bayern in the league stage too, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool…
Al-Khelaïfi: “We didn’t have any preparation, everyone doubted us.”
A third in a row possible?
For the moment, we want to celebrate. But we’ll go back to taking it one game at a time. We’re not going to stop here!
What are your feelings?
Superb. We didn’t have any preparation, everyone doubted us. But I think the best football won. We have great respect for Arsenal, who are having a great season. But we love attacking football. We won, it’s fantastic.
How did you experience it?
Those were the hardest minutes of my life! But I knew at halftime that we were going to win. I’m very proud of my team!
Did PSG show great determination? Are you proud of Luis Enrique’s work?
I’m very proud! We’ve had a great run against some very strong teams. This is the culture we want, a winning mentality and a fighting spirit.
