Luis Enrique hails PSG’s back-to-back champions league triumph after penalty shootout victory over Arsenal

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique described his side’s second consecutive UEFA Champions League title as even more special than their historic maiden triumph a year ago after the French giants defeated Arsenal on penalties in a dramatic final played on Saturday night.

PSG successfully retained the European crown following a tense 1-1 draw after extra time before emerging 4-3 winners in the penalty shootout at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.

Speaking during the celebrations, Luis Enrique praised his players for overcoming a difficult challenge against a resilient Arsenal side.

“It is even bigger because we knew the difficulties of playing against Arsenal, and for us as a team and as a city it is incredible to win it,” Luis Enrique told Canal Plus.

The English Premier League champions made a dream start to the final when Kai Havertz fired Arsenal ahead in the sixth minute, putting PSG under immediate pressure.

However, the French champions gradually settled into the contest and found a deserved equaliser in the 65th minute when Ousmane Dembele converted from the penalty spot after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was brought down inside the area.

PSG pushed hard for a winner and came agonisingly close when Kvaratskhelia’s effort took a deflection and struck the post. Arsenal survived the remainder of normal time and extra time, forcing the contest into penalties.

In the shootout, PSG converted four of their five spot-kicks, with Nuno Mendes the only Paris player to miss. Arsenal’s hopes suffered a major blow when Eberechi Eze failed to convert before Gabriel blasted the Gunners’ final penalty over the crossbar, handing PSG another European crown.

Luis Enrique said the victory was a reward for the team’s consistency throughout the season.

“I think we have deserved it over the course of the season even if the final was really close-fought,” he said.

The triumph places PSG among Europe’s elite and makes them the first club since Real Madrid’s famous run between 2016 and 2018 to successfully defend the Champions League title.

For Luis Enrique, the success also carries personal significance. Having guided Barcelona to Champions League glory in 2015, the Spaniard now joins an exclusive group of managers to have won three European Cups, alongside Carlo Ancelotti, Bob Paisley, Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola.

PSG captain Marquinhos hailed the team’s mentality and determination after securing another historic achievement.

“It is a different emotion this time. It is incredible that we have done it back-to-back,” said the Brazilian defender.

“We showed how much we wanted it. The coach said right at the start of the season that it is hard to win it, but it is even harder to win it twice. That was the objective for us and that was the mentality we showed today.”

The victory capped a remarkable season for the Qatar-backed club, who have now collected five trophies during the 2025/26 campaign.

In addition to retaining the UEFA Champions League, PSG also lifted the French Ligue 1 title, the UEFA Super Cup, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the French Champions Trophy.

Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele, whose equalising goal proved crucial in the final, praised the team’s resilience throughout a challenging season.

“It is exceptional. It’s a great night. We have worked hard this season in order to do the back-to-back. It is magnificent. We are so pleased and we will savour this tonight,” Dembele said.

“It was difficult, but the whole season has been difficult. We had to deal with a lot of things but in the end we have won another Champions League and we are all delighted.”

Dembele also eased concerns about the injury that forced him off late in the game, confirming it was only cramp and that he expects to join the France national team ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup preparations.

Having conquered Europe once again, PSG will begin next season with another major challenge when they face Europa League winners Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup scheduled for August 12 in Salzburg, Austria.

For now, however, PSG remain the undisputed kings of European club football after achieving what many believed was even harder than winning their first Champions League title — defending it.