Paris Saint-Germain: Number 1 in Europe, the pinnacle of world football.

Paris Saint-Germain is currently one of the most outstanding and successful football clubs in the world, as evidenced by their two European triumphs.

Forming an empire

A year ago, all of Europe was stunned when PSG crushed Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final. This was not only the biggest win in the history of the European Cup/ Champions League finals, but also marked PSG's first time winning the continent's premier competition.

PSG conquered the pinnacle of European football in a convincing manner. Photo: Eurosports

Winning the Champions League is difficult, but defending the title is even more challenging. However, Luis Enrique's team succeeded, continuing their dominance in Europe this season after defeating unbeaten Arsenal in the final.

Winning the championship for the first time requires not only talent but also a bit of luck. However, defending the title is a completely different matter. It's a story of class, character, and the highest level of consistency. And PSG has achieved that. This accomplishment makes them the first team since Real Madrid to do so, thus confirming the birth of a true football empire in Paris.

There were times when the Parisian club's ability to defend their title was questioned due to disappointing results. But it was precisely those difficult times that became the foundation for PSG's triumphant journey this year. Coach Luis Enrique did not change the philosophy he had built at PSG. The Spanish strategist continued to develop the playing style that had taken PSG to the top of Europe a year earlier, perfecting his machine. As a result, PSG gradually accelerated into the knockout stage. Here, the champion's character began to emerge. PSG became increasingly dangerous as the tournament neared its end.

PSG used to be a European football club that had it all except the most important title. But now, they are one of the rare teams that have successfully defended their continental crown.

PSG has become a winning machine. Photo: Eurosports

Winning the championship in Budapest also helped PSG complete a historic "quintuple" in the 2025-2026 season with the following titles: UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, French Super Cup, Ligue 1, and Champions League. This is considered the most successful season since the Qatari owners took over the team in 2011.

The key to PSG's success

PSG's two consecutive Champions League titles were built on talent, squad depth, and tactical sophistication. And it all stemmed from the genius of Spanish strategist Luis Enrique.

At PSG, Luis Enrique is not just a coach, but an architect and leader who has built a true empire in Paris.

Luis Enrique arrived at the Parc des Princes in 2023 with the desire to build a team where collective sacrifice is more important than individual status, where players defend together and also attack together.

Before Enrique arrived, the wealthy French club was seen more as a collection of stars than a team with real strength. They had once possessed world-class superstars like Neymar, Messi, and Mbappe... but never once reached the pinnacle of European football. But Enrique transformed the team based on his determination, perseverance, and unwavering belief in the collective.

Luis Enrique is truly an architect who built an empire in Paris. Photo: Eurosports

PSG found their "winning formula" after their biggest stars left. Without Messi, without Mbappe, without Neymar, PSG conquered the Champions League for two consecutive seasons.

Notably, the squad that successfully defended their Champions League title this season didn't have many names that generated significant media attention. The majority of PSG players weren't familiar stars to the general public.

Two consecutive Champions League titles are testament to PSG's significant transformation. Under the leadership of coach Luis Enrique, PSG has built a young yet resilient team. With an average age of just over 24, the French club has become one of the youngest champions in the tournament's history. No longer reliant on individual talents as in previous periods, PSG now possesses formidable collective strength with many stars shining brightly.

Before winning the Champions League twice with PSG, coach Luis Enrique had previously led Barcelona to victory in the 2014-2015 season. Luis Enrique has joined the group of coaches who have won the Champions League three times, alongside Pep Guardiola (2009, 2011, 2023) and Zinedine Zidane (2016, 2017, 2018).

Currently, only one coach has won more Champions League titles than the aforementioned coaches: Carlo Ancelotti, who is currently managing the Brazilian national team, with 5 titles won with Real Madrid and AC Milan.

According to VNA/News and Ethnic Minorities Newspaper

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/the-thao/202606/paris-saint-germain-so-1-chau-au-dinh-cao-the-gioi-3be5766/