Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured more than €100 million in UEFA Champions League revenue after defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time in Saturday’s final in Budapest.
- +PSG bank €100m after retaining UEFA Champions League title
The victory saw Luis Enrique’s side successfully defend the European crown they won last season, becoming only the second club after Real Madrid to retain the Champions League title in the modern era.
The victory saw Luis Enrique’s side successfully defend the European crown they won last season, becoming only the second club after Real Madrid to retain the Champions League title in the modern era.
While Arsenal’s dream of completing a Premier League and Champions League double ended in heartbreak, PSG walked away with the trophy and a substantial financial reward.
Arsenal, as runners-up, received €18.5 million.
When combined with earnings from the revamped league phase, knockout-round progression bonuses, performance-related payments and broadcasting revenue, PSG’s total income from this season’s Champions League campaign is expected to exceed €100 million.
The financial windfall caps another successful season for the French champions, who have now established themselves among Europe’s elite clubs.
Luis Enrique’s men showed resilience to overcome Arsenal after a tense and closely contested final.
The Premier League champions struck first through Kai Havertz after just six minutes, with the German forward capitalising on a defensive error to fire Arsenal ahead.
The Gunners defended resolutely for much of the match, frustrating a PSG side that had scored freely throughout the competition.
However, Ousmane Dembele converted a second-half penalty to bring the French champions level and force extra time.
With neither side able to find a winner after 120 minutes, the contest was decided by penalties, where PSG prevailed 4-3 after misses from Eberechi Eze and Gabriel.
The triumph marked Luis Enrique’s third UEFA Champions League title as a manager, placing him among an elite group of coaches to have won Europe’s premier club competition at least three times.
Having guided Barcelona to Champions League glory in 2015, the Spaniard has now overseen back-to-back triumphs with PSG.
His success has come after rebuilding the Parisian club’s squad, moving away from a star-studded approach and creating a more balanced and cohesive team capable of competing at the highest level.
PSG’s first Champions League title ended a 55-year wait for European glory and fulfilled a long-standing ambition under the club’s Qatari ownership.
A second consecutive title now raises hopes of a sustained period of dominance.
“It was Real Madrid, and now it’s us too,” PSG midfielder Fabian Ruiz told Movistar after the match.
PSG winger Desire Doue added: “We are so proud, so happy, and so grateful. As a team, as a family, I think we deserve this.”
With consecutive European crowns secured and significant financial rewards added to their coffers, PSG’s rise as a dominant force in European football shows no signs of slowing down.
