This Wednesday at 9 p.m. (CET), Paris Saint-Germain (2nd) will face Athletic Bilbao (27th) at the San Mamés Stadium for Matchday 6 of the 2025–2026 Champions League. In a press conference, Yuri Berchiche, the 35-year-old defender for the Spanish side and former PSG player (2017–2018), spoke about this special match for him, as he still feels very attached to Paris. He also mentioned Marquinhos, the 31-year-old defender and captain who was already at the club when Berchiche played there.
Berchiche: “When PSG won the Champions League, I was really happy.”
A special opponent for you?
“It gives me great pleasure to face a team with which I played for a spectacular year in every sense, at every level.
I have a great appreciation for this team. When PSG won the Champions League, I was truly happy. It had been a dream for a long time. I’m very happy for all the PSG players.”
Your year at PSG?
“It was like a dream to join PSG. I was young. I was able to be alongside important players, and from the very first minutes I was very well welcomed. It only lasted a year, it was very quick, but it was like a dream. I won trophies and learned a lot of things. I lived in a splendid city, Paris. These memories will stay with me for my whole life.”
Berchiche: “He’s a historic player.”
Marquinhos?
“He is a historic PSG player. When I saw him lift the Champions League trophy, I was very happy for him. When I arrived in Paris, he helped me a lot. I wish him all the best.”
It’s always very pleasing to see a player keep such positive feelings about PSG. It shows that life within the club is healthy, even if everything has not always been perfect. There is also the environment, especially the city, which can make players dream. In any case, Berchiche has continued to follow Paris’ journey and has often reacted on social media.
It’s a beautiful connection, especially since the Spanish defender also maintains a strong image among the supporters—quite simply because he always fought hard on the pitch, in addition to his footballing qualities, of course. But mentality is always essential and can leave a lasting impression.
It will be wonderful to see him again tomorrow, even though he is not expected to start. Berchiche will still experience a special moment, especially since crossing paths with PSG was far from guaranteed. Naturally, though, we can’t wish him a fully happy evening with a victory.
