Luis Enrique set the tone well in advance: “winning back-to-back titles” in the Champions League became an even more compelling motivation than securing an initial triumph. The breathtaking semi-final clash against Bayern Munich—culminating in a 5-4 aggregate victory after a 1-1 draw—served as undeniable proof that this PSG side was hungrier for silverware than ever and determined to etch its name into European football history. The team had been tasked with establishing a new era of dominance in European competitions, and Enrique’s players have embraced that challenge wholeheartedly, even when the road wasn’t entirely smooth.

Despite conceding early to Kai Havertz in the sixth minute, Paris displayed remarkable resilience. They equalized through Dembélé’s converted penalty in the 65th minute, and the deciding moment arrived in the dying seconds of the match, when Gabriel’s penalty soared high over the crossbar in the Budapest night.

This victory marked PSG’s sixth penalty shootout triumph under Luis Enrique, extending his flawless record in such contests—a streak that includes four successful shootouts this season in official finals.

Back-to-back Champions League titles remain a rare feat in modern football. Since the revamped Champions League format was introduced in 1993, only Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid had achieved this milestone, securing three consecutive titles from 2016 to 2018. Now, Paris Saint-Germain joins the Spanish giants, having claimed their first two European crowns in 2025 and 2026.

The mastermind behind the magic: Luis Enrique

Over the past two seasons, Paris Saint-Germain has exuded an aura of quiet confidence. While they battled RC Lens throughout the Ligue 1 campaign—securing the title in the penultimate match—Paris lifted their new European trophy with heart, marking the third year of Luis Enrique’s tenure at the helm.

The first triumph in Munich on May 31, 2025, was a night of pure euphoria. The victory in Budapest on May 30, 2026, will be equally unforgettable for the Parisian faithful, as it capped a grueling journey: minimal off-season recovery due to the FIFA Club World Cup, a spate of injuries, and a nerve-wracking playoff to reach the Round of 16. Once through that hurdle, PSG conducted themselves like defending champions, dismantling Chelsea (5-2, 3-0) and Liverpool (2-0, 2-0) before delivering a masterclass against Bayern Munich (5-4 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw).

Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia: the dynamic duo

Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, already instrumental in Munich, once again spearheaded Paris’s charge, though both endured challenging finals. Dembélé’s season was marked by versatility, often deployed as a false nine and hindered by persistent injuries (hamstring and calf issues). Yet, when fit, he delivered consistently—seven goals and two assists in 12 Champions League appearances, alongside 10 goals and seven assists in 22 Ligue 1 matches, earning him back-to-back Ballon d’Or titles in 2025.

The Ballon d’Or could well be within reach for Kvaratskhelia this year. The Georgian was just as pivotal as Dembélé in securing Europe’s top prize, contributing 10 goals and six assists in 15 Champions League matches. He repeatedly stepped up in high-pressure moments, such as his brace off the bench to rescue a draw against Chelsea at the Parc des Princes before sealing the tie at Stamford Bridge. Yet, the true strength of this PSG side lies not in individual brilliance but in a cohesive unit that has overwhelmed opponents for two seasons running.