Paris Saint-Germain secured their first ever European Championship title in their 168th Champions League match.
PSG are crowned European champions after a decisive 5-0 victory over Inter Milan, marking the most one-sided final in competition history.
This marks the first time a French club has achieved this feat since Marseille’s win in 1993, adding PSG to the exclusive list of 24 clubs to have lifted the prestigious trophy.
While the Champions League’s revamped format seemingly promotes greater diversity, PSG’s starting eleven in Munich, valued at £403 million, significantly overshadows Inter Milan’s £137 million starting lineup.
“Many criticized and doubted us; few believed in our project,” PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi stated to Canal Plus.
“Our goal now is to repeat this success. Fourteen years of hard work have culminated in this victory, but we are building for the future.”
Since Qatar Sports Investments acquired PSG in 2011, the club’s transfer fees have totaled €2.3 billion (£2.1 billion),, external according to Transfermarkt estimates.
“Considering their last season’s wage bill, they were likely among the top two or three highest in European football,” football finance expert Kieran Maguire told BBC Sport.
Their Champions League victory is a romantic story, a testament to brilliant football. However, from a financial perspective, their presence in the final was entirely expected.
Manchester City, another club under significant ownership investment, was the last first-time Champions League winner. According to Deloitte’s Money League, they are the world’s second-richest club, trailing only Real Madrid and ranking above PSG.
The revised Champions League format features 36 teams instead of the previous 32, offering more matches, goals, and high-profile clashes.
This change followed the failed attempt to launch a European Super League (ESL),, external after widespread fan backlash forced most participating teams to withdraw.
However, the question remains: is the new Champions League effectively a Super League in disguise?
Did the new Champions League format prove successful?
Initial assessment of the new Champions League format
Twelve leading European clubs, including six from the Premier League, initially signed on to create the European Super League in 2021.
English representatives included Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, and Tottenham, alongside AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Barcelona.
This league aimed to replace the Champions League as Europe’s top competition, but without the meritocratic qualification system based on domestic league performance.
Simultaneously, founding members intended to remain in their respective domestic leagues.
The proposal faced significant opposition from fans and rival clubs who argued it devalued domestic competitions.
The absence of relegation for founding members fueled criticism that the tournament would be a closed shop for elite European teams.
PSG and Bayern Munich declined invitations, and fan protests prompted the six English clubs to withdraw.
Next season’s Champions League will feature six English Premier League teams, exceeding the usual four.
Newcastle United, finishing fifth, will participate after UEFA awarded two additional spots to the top-performing European leagues in 2024-25.
Additionally, Tottenham, despite finishing 17th, will join Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea after winning the Europa League.
Twenty-two of the 36 league-phase spots are allocated to Europe’s top five leagues: Spain (five), Germany and Italy (four each), and France (three).
The Netherlands secures two spots, while Portugal, Greece, Czech Republic, Turkey, and Belgium each have one.
Only 11 of these 29 clubs qualified as national champions. The remaining seven spots are determined through qualifying rounds.
“I believe six English teams in the Champions League is excessive,” stated Ian Dennis, BBC Radio 5 Live’s senior football reporter., external
“I understand the reasoning; it’s essentially a Super League in all but name.
“Considering the Premier League’s dominance in European competitions, their coefficient will consistently rank among the top two or three, if not the top two.
“Consequently, English clubs consistently benefit from extra spots.
“With six English clubs and Spain possessing five, it will be difficult to challenge this English dominance.”
Who were the last true underdog Champions League winners, and will history repeat itself?
Jose Mourinho’s Porto achieved a remarkable run to the 2003-04 final,, external including a victory over Manchester United, before defeating Monaco 3-0.
Since then, 21 editions have seen 10 different winners: Real Madrid (six times), Barcelona (four), Liverpool (two), Chelsea (two), Bayern Munich (two), AC Milan, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain.
“The likelihood of another Porto-like victory is comparable to Leicester City winning the Premier League again,” Maguire added.
“Wealth is concentrated among fewer clubs, leading to the emergence of dynasties.
“The Champions League is heavily biased towards wealthy clubs, a consequence of concessions made to Super League clubs to prevent their breakaway.”
Following Manchester City’s 2023 and PSG’s recent victories, who will be the next first-time winners?
“Arsenal is well-positioned due to significant investment in their squad, likely in the range of £700 million to £800 million,” Maguire noted.
Inter Milan’s last Champions League win was in 2010 under Mourinho.
Maguire added: “Could another Italian club win? Possibly, but it seems unlikely. In France, it’s either PSG or no one, considering the collapse of the French TV deal., external
“In Spain, perhaps Atletico Madrid if they can get their act together.
“That’s about as far as we can speculate.”
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