“The socialism I believe in is everyone working for each other, everyone having a share of the rewards. It’s the way I see football, the way I see life.” – Bill Shankly, former Liverpool manager.
For years, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) epitomized the pursuit of footballing glory through financial might. Since 2011, when Qatar Sports Investments, backed by the Qatari government, took majority ownership, the club has poured billions into building a squad capable of dominating Europe. Their ultimate goal? The UEFA Champions League trophy, the pinnacle of club football. On Saturday, PSG finally achieved that dream, dismantling Inter Milan 5-0 in a display of sheer dominance. But this victory wasn’t the product of lavish spending on megastars. Instead, it marked a profound shift in identity—one rooted in teamwork, grit, and a collective vision.
The Costly Pursuit of Superstars
PSG’s journey to this triumph was far from smooth. Despite their astronomical spending—estimated at $1.2 billion on transfers and wages for Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé alone—the club repeatedly fell short in Europe. Multiple quarter-final exits and high-profile failures painted their Champions League campaigns as a costly disappointment. The strategy of stacking the squad with global superstars, while dazzling on paper, failed to deliver the cohesion needed to conquer Europe’s elite.
This season, however, PSG pivoted. While players like Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Ousmane Dembélé still commanded a combined $200 million in transfer fees, the club’s approach was no longer about individual brilliance. The emphasis shifted to building a unit that embodied the ethos of working for one another, as Shankly’s words so aptly describe.
A Tackle That Defined a Team
No moment captured PSG’s transformation better than a seemingly small act late in the final. With the scoreline at 4-0 and only minutes remaining, Kvaratskhelia sprinted back to make a defensive tackle. In the context of a near-certain victory, this effort could have been dismissed as unnecessary. Yet, it spoke volumes about the team’s newfound identity. It was a testament to work rate, commitment, and a willingness to sacrifice for the collective—a stark contrast to the star-driven sides of PSG’s past.
The Star That Shines Brightest
Manager Luis Enrique encapsulated this philosophy perfectly: “Yes, there’s a star, a star that shines more brightly than anything else, that is the team. … That is marvelous in a team sport.” For a club once defined by its capitalistic approach—chasing glory through blockbuster signings—PSG’s triumph came only after embracing the simplicity of teamwork. The megastars of yesteryear brought flair but not unity. It was only after moving beyond the Messi-Mbappé era that PSG found the formula to win.
In the end, PSG’s Champions League victory wasn’t just a triumph of talent but a celebration of collective spirit. By losing with their superstars, they learned how to win as a team.