Paris Saint-Germain has undergone a significant transformation since its acquisition by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011. Prior to this, the club hadn`t claimed a Ligue 1 title since the 1993-94 season and its most recent European final appearance was the 2001-02 Intertoto Cup win. Fast forward to today, PSG has secured a spot in the prestigious Champions League final, following their eighth Ligue 1 championship in the last decade. Despite the departure of their all-time leading scorer, Kylian Mbappe, the team is also contending for a potential treble this season.
What was initially anticipated as a transitional or rebuilding phase has unexpectedly produced one of PSG`s most formidable teams in recent memory. This squad is potentially poised to elevate the club to new heights by capturing its inaugural Champions League trophy. Such an achievement would not only be monumental for PSG but also for French football as a whole, ending the drought since Marseille`s victory in 1993.
Amidst this pivotal moment, former French international and current CBS Sports analyst Thierry Henry offered significant praise for Paris Saint-Germain`s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
“As a Frenchman, I understand the immense pressure you`ve been under,” Henry stated. “You know this city can be tough when things aren`t going well. I must commend you for consistently handling yourself with dignity; you truly paid attention to what was needed. We discussed the necessity for the team to integrate younger talent.”
“When you hired Luis Enrique, I told you, `You`ve got a top-class coach, he doesn`t mess around, you`ll see`,” Henry continued. “But beyond that, I wanted to express my gratitude because you`ve fundamentally altered the perception of Paris Saint-Germain. Growing up, it wasn`t like this at all. You`ve transformed everything – the community aspect, making games accessible for people to watch, which wasn`t always the case before. So, hopefully, you can take that final step and bring home another star [referring to the Champions League title]. I know you eliminated my former team, but I genuinely want Paris Saint-Germain to win because it would truly validate everything you`ve done and how you`ve done it. You`ve successfully put Paris back on the map.”
