Paris Saint-Germain’s recent success in the Champions League has come from more than just talent and tactics. Those inside the club believe one key factor has driven their rise to the top of European football. That factor is belief.
PSG secured a second straight Champions League title on Saturday after beating Arsenal 4-3 in a penalty shootout. The match ended 1-1 after extra time. The victory confirmed the club’s place among Europe’s strongest teams.
Head coach Luis Enrique arrived in Paris in 2023 with a clear vision. He wanted to change the culture of the club. His goal was to build a team where everyone worked for each other and where no player was bigger than the group.
Two years later, that vision has delivered remarkable results. Many PSG players now speak about Enrique as more than a coach. They see him as the man who transformed the club.
Defender Achraf Hakimi praised the Spaniard after the final victory.
“It’s not easy to do it back-to-back, but we did,” Hakimi said.
“The coach is the big voice of the club. We follow him, we trust him. Since day one he told us the team is more important than the player. We have created not just a team but a family.”
For many years, PSG were known for signing some of the biggest stars in football. However, the club often fell short in the Champions League. Critics regularly pointed to their struggles in high pressure moments.
Luis Enrique took a different path. He built a team based on hard work, discipline and trust. PSG remained exciting in attack, but team structure became the foundation of their success.
Despite the growing praise, Enrique has shown little interest in personal recognition.
“Legend? I’m not interested in that,” he said.
Still, his influence is clear. PSG players believe he is the main reason behind the club’s success and their ability to remain at the top.
Midfielder Vitinha said the season was not easy. The squad dealt with injuries, fatigue and a demanding schedule after a short pre-season. However, he credited the coaching staff for keeping the group together throughout the campaign.
“There were a lot of ups and downs,” Vitinha said.
“We knew when the season started after little rest and little preparation that there would be physical problems and injuries, but we were bracing for it.”
Vitinha also praised the club’s staff for managing the players well during a difficult season. PSG had little time to recover after losing the Club World Cup final to Chelsea, but they still finished the campaign as champions of Europe once again.
With a strong squad, a clear identity and a coach trusted by his players, PSG now look well placed to continue their success in the years ahead.
