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President Nasser Al Khelaifi finally helped PSG win the Champions League. |
Winning the 2025 Champions League at the Allianz Arena on June 1 was not only a victory for a young and charismatic team, but also a vindication for the most criticized figure of the past decade: Nasser Al Khelaifi.
A spending game, but not without strategy
Standing in the middle of the glorious stage, the Qatari president not only lifted the trophy, but also raised his own value - from a person who was once considered "an unknown tennis player lost in the world of football", to one of the most influential sports leaders in Europe. This was not only PSG's first Champions League trophy, but also a declaration of Qatar's soft power, a victory with significance beyond the framework of football.
Since taking over PSG in 2011, Qatar has poured more than €2 billion into the club. To sceptics, it is a symbol of “petrodollar” football, where titles are bought with money rather than built with football.
But the reality is not that simple. Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic… make PSG look glamorous, but at the same time turn them into a dressing room full of egos. And for nearly 15 years, the club has failed not because of a lack of talent, but because of a lack of the soul of a true collective.
The defeat to Real Madrid in 2022, the conflict with the ultras, the hidden conflict between Messi and the board, the departure of Thomas Tuchel... All of this made the PSG project seem like it was coming to an end after the 2022 World Cup - a milestone that many people thought would be Qatar's "honorable exit" from European football. But the only thing that changed after that tournament was strategy.
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Sweet fruit came to Nasser Al Khelaifi after more than a decade of waiting. |
Nasser Al Khelaifi used to be a “meddling” man. He was involved in everything from player selection, tactical influence, to internal interference. But with Luis Enrique, Al Khelaifi stepped back. It was the boldest and wisest decision of his leadership career. A coach with philosophy, temperament and not easily defeated - something PSG never had, even when they had Zidane on their wish list.
With absolute power, Luis Enrique rebuilt the squad from almost zero. With no more superstars to please the brand, PSG this season is the youngest squad in the Champions League.
But it is precisely these names that do not shine in real life - like Zaïre-Emery, Barcola, Desire Doue - that create a PSG that is pragmatic, disciplined and cold to the point of ruthlessness. The 5-0 victory over Inter in the final is the clearest proof: PSG is no longer as fragile as in previous seasons - they are truly strong.
And during those two seasons, Al Khelaifi did not intervene. When the team lost to Bayern in the qualifying round last year, he still spoke up to defend Luis Enrique: "He is the best coach in the world ". For the first time, PSG had a steadfast direction, and that brought 7 out of 8 possible titles under "Lucho".
No longer a plastic empire
Today’s PSG is no longer a team that lives off the Instagram glow of its superstars. They are a team with real power, identity and depth in their playing style. That success comes from a comprehensive strategy change – but it’s impossible not to mention the only character who has remained consistent from start to finish: Nasser Al Khelaïfi.
He was not only the man who brought Neymar to break the transfer record, not only the main character in the Mbappe deal, not only the President of ECA who fought against the Super League - he was the architect of a process that seemed wasteful, but ultimately reached glory in a convincing way.
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For PSG, everything is just beginning. |
The Champions League title may be the end of the dream that has haunted PSG for the past decade. But for Al Khelaïfi, this is just a stepping stone to a new chapter.
The upcoming Club World Cup is an opportunity for PSG to assert themselves not only as a European giant, but also as a global force. And if they win - which is entirely possible with the current squad - Al Khelaïfi will not only be remembered as someone who was willing to spend money, but also as someone who knew how to invest in the right people at the right time.
15 years ago, Al Khelaïfi was considered an “outsider” in football. Now, he is one of the most powerful people in the world of football. And the Champions League title that PSG has just won is not only a victory for the French capital team, but also a fatal blow to all the doubts, criticism and contempt that Al Khelaïfi has had to endure.
Football history always remembers the winners - and Al Khelaïfi, after all, won in his own way.
Source: https://znews.vn/al-khelaifi-va-cu-danh-quyet-dinh-cua-quyen-luc-qatar-post1557968.html
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