In the summer of 2021, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) showcased a star-studded roster featuring Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé, backed by substantial funding from Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund. With a $430 million payroll, PSG dominated French soccer but fell short in the Champions League, exiting in the round of 16 in both 2022 and 2023. Despite generating over $1 billion in revenue during this period, the trio played together for only a third of their possible games, leading to their eventual departures and signaling a potential rebuild for the club.
Fast forward to 2023, and PSG reached the Champions League final against Internazionale of Milan, shifting focus from individual stars to a cohesive team strategy under coach Luis Enrique. The team’s average age decreased from 27.8 to 25, reflecting a renewed commitment to youth and teamwork. Enrique and sporting director Luís Campos emphasized building a squad founded on collective effort rather than individual brilliance, enhancing player accountability. This cultural shift contributed to positive performance metrics, including the fourth-highest passing accuracy in the Champions League.
Key players like Ousmane Dembélé, who enjoyed a career-best season, played significant roles in PSG’s success. The club’s payroll was notably trimmed to $220 million, even while remaining the highest in France. As the team fortified its resilience, evidenced by their progress through challenging knockout stages, the transformation under Enrique culminated in a chance to win the coveted Champions League trophy. PSG aims to etch its name in history following years of near-misses, highlighting a hopeful future focused on collective strength and talent development.
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