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Fifteen years ago, PSG finished the season in 13th place. It was their fourth full season under the control of Colony Capital, an American investment firm. Financial difficulties and poor results on the pitch had the company looking to flee the Parc des Princes.
Up to that point, PSG had only won Ligue 1 twice. The 13th place, combined with the 6th, 16th and 15th places in the previous three seasons, even the most optimistic people understood that it would be a long time before the Paris team won the title again.
No one could have imagined that things would change so quickly. Under President Nicolas Sarkozy, a longtime ally of France, the small but wealthy nation of Qatar has been making a big splash in the hexagonal region, including industry, real estate and more. When Qatar Sports Investment (QSI), the Qatari sovereign wealth fund, expressed an interest in buying PSG, it was quickly accepted.
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PSG changed its life quickly under the management of QSI. |
As is known, in June 2011, QSI successfully acquired 70% of PSG's initial shares for 50 million euros. After a first season (2011/12) with no trophies, Les Parisiens began to dominate France. In the last 13 seasons, they have won Ligue 1 11 times. In addition, there are 25 other domestic titles. After 15 years, PSG's value has also increased to 3.8 billion euros according to Forbes' valuation.
For many, the past decade and a half has been more glorious than they could have imagined. However, for the Qatari owners, success has yet to come. Simply because PSG has yet to win the Champions League to enjoy the taste of being on top of Europe.
Of course, the Qataris are not investing in PSG just for sporting reasons. The acquisition of PSG is one of many soft power investments, aimed at promoting economic diversification policies, strengthening the country's position on the international stage, creating the impression that they are a safe and promising destination, both for tourism and investment. Hosting the 2022 World Cup and many other sporting events is also part of that strategy.
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However, success is only defined by winning the Champions League, and PSG still do not have it. |
This also explains the initial flashy policy that President Nasser Al-Khelaifi implemented at PSG, when he brought to the Parc des Princes top stars such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Beckham, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi. In parallel, there were a series of other actions to increase his position and influence, including the event of Al-Khelaifi becoming the first Arab to hold a position at UEFA (on the Executive Committee), then President of the European Club Association.
But to increase the status and define success for the PSG project, winning the Champions League is a must. In this respect, they are similar to Chelsea and Man City, two teams that achieved only modest achievements in the past and then suddenly became giants thanks to the bottomless pockets of their new owners. Both were also obsessed with winning the Champions League, with Chelsea only feeling relieved when they won in 2012, Man City in 2023.
After years of chasing, PSG have yet to succeed. "The pressure to win the Champions League is too great," said former captain Thiago Silva. "PSG is the only team in the world that is considered a failure if it does not win the Champions League," said former midfielder Ander Herrera. Maxwell, a former PSG full-back, said: "We have a lot of good players but the obsession with the Champions League crushes everyone."
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The only time PSG came close to the top of glory was in 2020, but it slipped out of reach. |
The runner-up finish in the 2019/20 Champions League final made PSG feel like they were just one step away from getting what they needed. This thought encouraged Al-Khelaifi to further push the galactico policy, gathering at the Parc des Princes the number one superstars, from Messi, Neymar to Mbappe, from Sergio Ramos to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Sadly, the results have only gotten worse. In the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, PSG were eliminated in the round of 16. Fans' anger reached its peak and they started blaming the superstars. Eventually the Galactico was disbanded, and PSG suddenly took to the field with a group of little-known, even unknown players.
That's when Les Parisiens fans get worried. They fear that the Qatari owners are starting to get bored with PSG after going from disappointment to disillusionment. A report in L'Equipe went as far as to say the capital club could be put up for sale.
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PSG changed their approach and now stand on the threshold of heaven again. |
But QSI immediately responded. In addition to accusing the article of being false, they showed their commitment to long-term investment with the new €350 million Campus PSG training ground in Poissy. In addition, Al-Khelaifi reassured fans when introducing a new development strategy.
Instead of superstars, they have shifted their focus to signing promising youngsters such as Willian Pacho, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. This is the third phase of their development plan to build a long-term legacy. It includes upgrading facilities, creating a stable financial base, and carefully considering the sporting side, with players being signed for the sake of football.
The Champions League target has also changed. When he first took over PSG, Al-Khelaifi declared that he would win the title in 2015. After three consecutive quarter-final eliminations, the plan to win the title was postponed to 2018. In 2018, Al-Khelaifi set a limit of winning the title within four years.
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Just one more win and PSG will be at the heights they dream of. |
The deadline is long overdue, but Al-Khelaifi is no longer concerned. In his most recent speech, he affirmed that “winning the Champions League is no longer PSG's goal". "We are currently building a great team for the future. The championship can come this year, next year or eight years from now. The important thing is that PSG has a generation of players ready for that goal", the PSG President emphasized.
However, this is understood to be an attempt to ease the pressure of winning the title that has been weighing on PSG for so long. They still need the Champions League, and it would be a huge disappointment if Luis Enrique's men failed in Munich. The approach changes, but the desire and the goals remain consistent.
Fireworks have been set up on the Corniche, the crescent-shaped road that encircles Doha Bay in Qatar, ready to explode into the night sky, celebrating PSG's reign as the European champions. All that remains now is to beat Inter to win the Champions League.
Source: https://tienphong.vn/chung-ket-champions-league-202425-psg-va-dem-xoay-chuyen-dinh-menh-post1747068.tpo
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