Declan Rice, the 27-year-old Arsenal midfielder and captain, spoke to UEFA’s official website about the 2025-2026 Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, May 30. He displayed the necessary determination to face a great team, which is not infallible.
Rice: “You have to seize your opportunities”
PSG are a very good team. We played them over two legs last year. It could have gone either way, so looking back now, may the best team win. What did we learn from losing the semi-final last season? That you have to seize your opportunities, because we had plenty. It wasn’t our time, but these are the moments that prepare you for the moments to come. We will be ready.
“Rice needs that burning desire from the first whistle, the certainty that you’re going to win this final.”
“You have to be at the peak of your powers to beat PSG. You need that burning desire from the first whistle, the certainty that you’re going to win this final. It’s the biggest competition in football. The Champions League final, there’s nothing bigger. What a chance, what an opportunity. It will be the last kick of the season in club football, so finish in style and give it your all, empty the tank one last time and give everything you have to win such a beautiful trophy with this club.”
Rice can’t help but show respect for this PSG side, which has made a habit of impressing for many months now. Especially last season with the semi-final victory against Arsenal. A two-legged tie that may be on their minds, but which won’t give them the slightest advantage in the final. We can also take away from this two very close matches and the feeling that everything could hinge on a few details in the final.
Logically, each team will approach it with confidence and the desire to deliver a great performance. One of the secrets will be finding the right emotion, because excessive motivation is a danger often highlighted by Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique. But there’s certainly no room for complacency either.
