Kylian Mbappe sends ‘big’ message after PSG’s stunning Champions League win
Paris Saint-Germain overcame years of near-misses to win their first Champions League title against Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena.
Luis Enrique‘s side made history both for the club and UEFA itself with a 5-0 demolition of the Serie A giants in Munich on Saturday, as PSG broke continental records aplenty with their one-sided victory.
PSG‘s five-goal margin was the largest in any European final since UEFA competitions began, and only Real Madrid have scored more times in a single decider when they beat Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3 in 1960.
The Nerazzurri simply had no answer as goals from former Inter man Achraf Hakimi and Desire Doue put PSG 2-0 up inside 20 minutes, and Doue netted their third just after the hour to all-but seal the result.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia made it four 10 minutes later as PSG levelled Madrid’s 65-year record margin of victory, but substitute Senny Mayulu had the final say with an 86th-minute strike to break that record.
PSG congratulated in bittersweet Mbappe message
PSG’s record-breaking triumph comes against a backdrop of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Mbappe’s departures across successive summer transfer windows, and that left Enrique with a rebuilding job.
However, the Spaniard’s additions of Ousmane Dembele, Doue and Kvaratskhelia in the past 12 months has proven to be shrewd as the three spearheaded PSG’s charge to the final and subsequent 5-0 victory.
Mbappe has had a successful first year in Spain with 43 goals scored after his much-anticipated move last summer, but frustrations have at times boiled over amid a frustrating season for Real Madrid overall.
After PSG’s triumph, Mbappe posted on his Instagram story (31 May) with a message for his former employers, which read: “The big day has finally arrived.
“Victory, and in true club style, congratulations PSG.”
PSG to press on after ending Champions League drought
Kvaratskhelia’s clincher late in the second half against Inter comes a matter of months after Liverpool had a last-ditch approach for him planned last summer, and the Reds will rue that missed opportunity.
Doue, Dembele and Kvaratskhelia have caused Liverpool and several other Premier League sides plenty of problems, with the Reds, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Arsenal all beaten on PSG’s path to the title.
Mbappe and Real Madrid will look to add a 16th Champions League to their trophy cabinet next term with Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold already through the doors at the Santiago Bernabeu, but after a 5-0 win in the biggest match on the planet, PSG will take some stopping.