For over a decade, Paris Saint-Germain’s Qatari owners have made headlines by splashing out huge sums to attract some of the biggest names in football. Their ambition was clear: to transform the club into a profitable powerhouse, shedding its image of amateurism and hooliganism, and ultimately, to conquer Europe’s most prestigious tournament, the Champions League. With record-breaking revenues surpassing €800 million ($890 million) last year, they have undeniably achieved significant growth. The Parc des Princes, once a hotbed of violence, has seen a transformation into a more controlled and welcoming atmosphere. And, of course, the arrival of global superstars like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé brought unparalleled star power to Paris, tantalizingly hinting at the possibility of Champions League glory. However, the elusive Champions League title remained just that—elusive. Now, with the departures of Messi, Neymar, and most recently, Mbappé, a new chapter has begun at PSG. It may seem paradoxical, but the club might be better positioned than ever before to achieve its continental dreams.
The departure of Mbappé to Real Madrid this summer signified the end of an era characterized by relying heavily on individual talent and big-money signings. Instead of simply replacing him with another marquee name, coach Luis Enrique has opted for a different path: building a cohesive unit with a focus on collective strength. Enrique’s vision is clear: while Mbappé’s talent is irreplaceable, his contributions can be replicated by a group of attacking players who can collectively achieve similar, if not better, results. “To me, this is the continuation of last season,” says Enrique, who has already utilized 21 players in just four French league matches. “We are a young team, that is true. But we are full of desire and hunger, which is a wonderful thing. I’m so lucky to have this sort of squad.”
Enrique has strategically brought in a number of promising, less-known players, each with their own unique skillset, to create competition and depth across every position. This approach is particularly crucial this season, with the Champions League introducing a new format that will feature more teams and more games. PSG kicks off their Champions League campaign on Wednesday against Spanish side Girona.
Among their new additions are goalkeeper Matvey Safonov, highly-rated defender Willian Pacho, promising midfielder João Neves, and winger Désiré Doué. Pacho’s impressive performances at Eintracht Frankfurt, and Neves’s experience at the international level with Portugal, despite his young age of 19, have already impressed. Pacho and Neves have seamlessly integrated into the team, and the revamped PSG has hit the ground running, winning their first four league matches to sit atop the Ligue 1 table. “PSG is way stronger collectively than last year, everybody runs and defends,” commented Brest coach Eric Roy after his side suffered a 3-1 defeat to the French champions over the weekend. “Especially when they lose the ball, they put a lot of pressure.”
The biggest question mark heading into the season was whether PSG could maintain their potent attack without their star player. The answer, it seems, lies in the pace and power of Ousmane Dembélé and Badley Barcola on the wings, who partner with Marco Asensio in a false No. 9 role. This new formation has proven to be a winning formula. PSG has already scored an impressive 16 goals, conceding just three, boasting the best goal difference in the league after four matches since Reims in 1952. Only Marseille forward Mason Greenwood has surpassed the goalscoring output of Barcola and Dembélé, while Neves leads the league with three assists.
Despite dominating the French league, winning 10 of the last 12 titles, PSG has reached just one Champions League final since their Qatari takeover. Enrique, understandably, remains cautious about celebrating too early. Asked about the perceived improvement, he simply stated, “We will see at the end of the season what the team has achieved.”
