For many years, Paris Saint-Germain was often the subject of ridicule in the football world.
Despite dominating the French “farmer`s league,” they were seen as a club with a star-studded roster but lacking true success or recognition on the biggest stage. Crucially, they consistently failed to perform in the Champions League.
However, having already overcome significant challenges, Luis Enrique`s transformed PSG squad now turns its attention to facing Arsenal. Mikel Arteta`s side understands that this tie presents perhaps their most formidable challenge yet on their path to the final in Munich.
Yet, this wasn`t the consensus at the season`s start, and their earlier performance against Arsenal hadn`t suggested such strength. Indeed, the narrative of PSG under their Qatari ownership has often highlighted missteps and struggles more than triumphs.
Now, however, they appear poised to finally reach the pinnacle of European football, potentially realizing the long-held aspirations of President Nasser al-Khelaifi.
This article, drawing on insights from club insiders, explores the evolution of the dominant force in French football and how a major potential crisis served as a catalyst for their current resurgence and pursuit of glory.
2011 – The Beginning
In 2011, PSG was not even ranked among the top ten French clubs historically. They had won only two Ligue 1 titles, the most recent 17 years prior, were owned by a US investment firm, and had narrowly avoided relegation to Ligue 2 on two occasions in the preceding seasons.
Hooliganism also plagued the club; the year before the takeover, a Marseille supporter died after being attacked by PSG fans, with one attacker later sentenced to five years in prison.
Thus, the initial acquisition of a 70 percent stake for £60m by Qatari Sports Investment came as a significant surprise, despite existing scrutiny regarding the relationship between the French and Qatari governments following the contentious 2022 World Cup host selection.
This ushered in a new leader, Nasser al-Khelaifi, a former top 100 tennis player who would rise to become one of football`s most influential figures.
Insiders recall a club “on the brink of relegation, nowhere near European football.” They describe a situation marred by violence, stating, “You literally had fans being killed in the stadium – the ultras killed a fan,” leading to lifetime bans and a “awful national crisis.” The club was “completely unsuccessful on the pitch, completely economically insignificant,” a state that “people forget was just over 10 years ago.”
2011-2016 – The “Bling Bling” Stage
Success wasn`t immediate. Even with Carlo Ancelotti`s appointment before Christmas, PSG didn`t win the French title, finishing three points adrift of Montpellier. This wasn`t deemed sufficient, prompting significant spending in the summer of 2012.
That season saw the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, followed by David Beckham in January, alongside South American talents like Ezequiel Lavezzi, Thiago Silva, Lucas Moura, and others.
This was a conscious strategy. An insider close to the club described it as the “bling bling stage,” necessary to “overspend, over the market price, to get some market share,” much like launching a new product. They explained this initial investment, involving “overpay[ing] people and los[ing] money,” was crucial for long-term gain. This phase led to signings like Beckham, Zlatan, and others.
The strategy dictates moving towards “financial stability and a more proportionate business model” over time, arguing that clubs must pass through these stages “if you want to go from zero to hero,” citing Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City as examples.
Domestic titles began to accumulate, even after Ancelotti departed for Real Madrid and was replaced by Laurent Blanc. However, off-pitch issues also emerged.
A source with insight recalled, “The club pandered to the players and allowed them to have the control.” They felt the signing of Beckham exemplified the pressure to acquire the “biggest names available, to make some sort of history.”
2016-2023 – The Hollywood Era
While four consecutive Ligue 1 titles (three under Blanc) seemed successful, PSG was essentially a giant in a smaller league. The true objective remained winning the Champions League.
The club`s ambition was evident in the caliber of managers hired to elevate PSG to Europe`s elite level. Hiring Unai Emery, Thomas Tuchel, and later Mauricio Pochettino signaled that Ligue 1 dominance was a prerequisite; the focus had shifted to European conquest.
This ambition also translated to a dominating presence in the transfer market. And this is where problems started.
Starting in 2017 with Neymar`s transfer from Barcelona, quickly followed by Kylian Mbappe (a combined expenditure around £367m), the influx of high-profile players seemed relentless.
Undoubtedly the most significant signing was Lionel Messi in 2021, acquired when financially struggling Barcelona couldn`t retain him.
From within the club`s inner circle, there`s still no regret regarding Messi: “Everyone focused on Messi. Messi was a free transfer and made the club money,” and “on the pitch, it`s easy when you don`t win the Champions League that it`s assumed to be a failure. Actually, his statistics were very, very good.” However, the sentiment is that “that phase of bling bling went on for too long.”
Despite their managerial pedigree, successive coaches reportedly found themselves undermined by internal issues.
An advisor to one former manager concurred, stating, “There`s nothing wrong with spending money on players. Indeed signing Messi was basically printing money from shirt sales.” But they added that “for too long it was just about the big names – they turned into a French version of FC Hollywood.” The focus was on “commercial players,” not those who fit the team, with the club needing “big names so they could sell shirts” in new stores. They highlighted the imbalance, suggesting that with “Neymar, Mbappe and Messi in the same team,” only “seven players prepared to run for the rest of the team,” leaving the manager to “pick up the pieces” repeatedly.
The issue wasn`t limited to those three. Following a Champions League semi-final defeat to Manchester City in 2021, PSG signed veteran defender Sergio Ramos, despite his long-standing difficult relationship with Messi.
Furthermore, the decision to sign Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, which led to the departure of the well-liked Keylor Navas, also caused dressing room tension.
By 2023, PSG had secured eight of the last ten Ligue 1 titles and numerous domestic cups, yet the coveted Champions League trophy remained elusive.
2023 onwards – New Model, New Horizons
Sometimes, a significant challenge is required to instigate necessary changes. Kylian Mbappe`s decision to run down his contract and pursue a free transfer to Real Madrid reportedly served as a wake-up call for PSG.
According to al-Khelaifi, the shift was deliberate, though he admitted the “five‐year plan was a mistake,” stating, “I openly admit that. But we learn from our mistakes.” He now emphasizes that “the new superstar of Paris Saint-Germain is the team,” although they still possess “a lot of stars.” The key difference, he claims, is a “strong collective on the pitch, and a strong and supportive institution off the pitch.” This new approach involves considering “the short, medium and long term,” avoiding impulsive reactions.
Alternatively, the changes may have stemmed from necessity. The senior figure noted a turning point when Messi was banned for two games for a trip to Saudi Arabia instead of training, calling it “a huge moment, a huge statement.” They added that Mbappe was later “dropped and shown that the institution is stronger and more important than the individual.”
This strategy has resulted in PSG having “the youngest team in the last eight of the Champions League and the third youngest in the entire competition.” The focus now, reinforced by a “£300m process” for a new training center, is on “capturing French talent. Not buying in talent, but building it,” representing “very much the future of the club.”
He conceded there was a “little wobble” during the autumn period. Ousmane Dembele was notably excluded from the squad for a trip, with Luis Enrique citing his failure to “comply with the obligations of the team.”
A subsequent 2-0 defeat where PSG posed little threat was followed by losses to Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, putting the team at risk of early elimination, particularly after trailing Manchester City 2-0 in a crucial match. However, a rapid turnaround with four goals in 37 minutes, including an outstanding performance from Dembele, changed their fortunes and negated the need for urgent January transfers.
The winger`s response to this public challenge was remarkable, including a strong scoring run and notable goals.
These changes appear tangible, even if the £70m acquisition of winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli demonstrates they still spend significantly. The new faces defining this era include Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Warren Zaire-Emery, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The former managerial aide agreed, stating, “What they are doing now is what they promised all the previous managers they would do – and never did!” They concluded, “Now the club is building a young team, a hungry team.”
And one that, perhaps this time, possesses the capability to win the ultimate prize, though Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side will undoubtedly believe otherwise.
