Luis Enrique set the tone months ago: “winning back-to-back” Champions League titles carries even greater weight than securing a maiden crown. The dramatic semi-final triumph over Bayern Munich (5-4 aggregate, 1-1 draw) served as proof that this PSG side was hungrier than ever to etch its name into history. The Spaniard had made his ambitions clear at the season’s outset—establishing a new European dynasty. His players embraced the challenge wholeheartedly, even when the final wasn’t flawless.

Trailing early after Kai Havertz’s sixth-minute strike, the Parisians rallied. Ousmane Dembélé equalized from the penalty spot in the 65th minute before Achraf Gabriel’s decisive penalty sealed the win in the Budapest night.

This marks Enrique’s sixth penalty shootout victory as PSG manager—a perfect record, including four triumphs this season in official finals.

Back-to-back titles remain a rarity in modern football. Since the Champions League’s 1993 revamp, only Real Madrid under Zinedine Zidane achieved the feat (2016, 2017, 2018). Now, PSG joins them with consecutive crowns in 2025 and 2026.

The mastermind behind the triumph

For two seasons, the Parisian club exuded calm confidence. Despite a grueling Ligue 1 campaign—clinging to the top spot until the penultimate match—PSG claimed this European crown with heart. Enrique’s third season in charge has been defined by resilience.

The night of May 31, 2025, in Munich first etched their names into history. The following year, Budapest became the stage for another unforgettable chapter: minimal off-season rest due to the Club World Cup, a spate of injuries, and a narrow escape in the playoff rounds. Yet once past those hurdles, the reigning champions played like true European monarchs, dismantling Chelsea (5-2, 3-0) and Liverpool (2-0, 2-0) before battling Bayern Munich to the brink (5-4 aggregate, 1-1 draw).

Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia: the dynamic duo

Already pivotal in Munich, Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia again led the charge, though both struggled in the final. Dembélé endured an inconsistent season, shifting between false nine roles and battling recurrent injuries (hamstrings, calf). Yet when fit, his impact was undeniable: seven goals and two assists in 12 Champions League matches, 10 goals and seven assists in 22 Ligue 1 outings, earning him back-to-back Ballon d’Or titles in 2024 and 2025.

The Georgian forward could soon add a Ballon d’Or to his collection. Like Dembélé, he was a catalyst for the reigning champions in Europe’s premier competition, contributing 10 goals and six assists in 15 matches. His late substitute double against Chelsea at the Parc des Princes broke the deadlock, while his second strike at Stamford Bridge sealed the tie. Yet this PSG’s strength lies beyond individual brilliance—in a collective that has dominated since 2024.