Paris was buzzing with energy on Sunday night as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) threw a massive celebration after winning the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history. The party kicked off hours after their huge 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the final and continued late into the night at a packed Parc des Princes stadium.
The PSG players, joined by coaches, staff, and thousands of fans, danced, sang, and showed off the shiny Champions League trophy. Music blasted through the stadium, and some of Paris’s top rappers performed live on stage. Even tennis legend Novak Djokovic, who’s playing at Roland Garros, showed up to join the fun. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy also made an appearance.
After flying in from Munich on Sunday afternoon, the team went straight into celebration mode. They hopped onto a big, open-top bus and drove through the city, greeted by excited fans waving flags, setting off flares, and cheering their heroes. The biggest moment came as the team rolled down the Champs-Élysées before stopping at the Élysée Palace, where French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed them.
“You are the champions, and you’ve put Paris at the top of Europe,” Macron told the team. He also gave a shout-out to the fans, calling them the “twelfth man” on the pitch.
A massive 11.8 million people in France tuned in to watch the final on TV. PSG became only the second French team ever to win the Champions League, the first being Marseille way back in 1993.
Unfortunately, the celebrations were marred by some violence across the country. Police arrested nearly 600 people after clashes, car burnings, and two tragic deaths a 17-year-old stabbed in Dax and a 23-year-old who died in a scooter accident in Paris. A police officer was also seriously injured. President Macron condemned the violence, calling it “unacceptable.”
Back at Parc des Princes, the mood remained joyful. Each PSG player was introduced with their entrance song and cheered loudly by fans. Club captain Marquinhos, who’s been with the team since 2013, was the last to walk out. Holding the trophy alongside club president Nasser al-Khelaifi, Marquinhos got emotional.
“After all these years, I can cry now. This is the day of glory!” he said. “We love you. Enjoy it! We are European champions!”
Fans also cheered for President al-Khelaifi, chanting “Thank you, Nasser!” Qatar Sports Investments, which he chairs, has poured millions into PSG since taking over the struggling club in 2011.
Instead of chasing big-name stars like Neymar and Messi, PSG now focuses on young French talent. One standout is 19-year-old Desire Doue, who scored twice in the final.
Saturday’s victory has given PSG a taste for more. “The objective now is to win again,” said al-Khelaifi. “It’s taken 14 years of hard work, but we’re building something for the future.”
By Yockshard Enyendi
