On a truly unforgettable night in Munich, Paris St-Germain etched their name into the annals of football history, securing their maiden Champions League title with a resounding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan. The air was thick with emotion, particularly for coach Luis Enrique, whose tears of joy and poignant tributes underscored a triumph heavy with personal significance.
This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. PSG delivered a performance of a lifetime, outclassing their Italian opponents with a display of skill, cohesion, and attacking prowess that left no doubt about their deserving victory. The sporting narrative was one of the finest team displays ever witnessed in a European final, cementing this PSG side as a truly special collective.
At the heart of this historic performance was brilliant teenager Desire Doue. Confirming his status as a generational talent, Doue showcased a genius that immediately placed him alongside Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal as one half of a new duo destined to dominate the global game for years to come. On the biggest stage in European club football, Doue made the pitch his playground, delivering a performance that belied his tender age.
For 55-year-old Asturian Luis Enrique, the victory carried immense personal weight beyond the sheer glory. He became only the sixth coach to win the Champions League with two different clubs, having previously guided Barcelona to glory in 2015. However, this triumph held a deeper, more poignant meaning. Luis Enrique had spoken openly about his desire to honor his late daughter, Xana, who tragically passed away from bone cancer in 2019. In a beautiful gesture following the 2015 Barcelona triumph, he helped Xana plant a Barcelona flag in the center circle. He had expressed hope of replicating this gesture in Munich in her memory.
In the euphoric aftermath of victory, Luis Enrique pulled on a t-shirt bearing an image of himself and his daughter planting a PSG flag. Then, in a moment of raw, overwhelming emotion, PSG’s devoted “Ultras” unfurled their own breathtaking tribute: a giant flag emblazoned with an image of father and daughter, both in the French club’s shirt, planting a flag. It was a truly wonderful gesture that resonated deeply with the coach and fans alike.
“I’m very happy. It was very emotional at the end with the banner from the fans for my family. But I always think about my daughter,” Luis Enrique shared, his voice thick with emotion. “Since day one, I said I wanted to win important trophies, and Paris had never won the Champions League. We did it for the first time. It’s a great feeling to make many people happy.”
Indeed, all the agonies and years of chasing the elusive Champions League trophy were washed away on this joyful night in Munich. PSG’s historic triumph, fuelled by a generational talent like Desire Doue and guided by the emotional leadership of Luis Enrique, marks a new era for the City of Light, finally bringing the coveted Champions League trophy home.
