The new European champions were hosted by the French president a day after the historic night in Munich.
French President Emmanuel Macron extolled Qatar’s role in “bringing Paris to the top of Europe” as the newly crowned European champions Paris Saint-Germain were welcomed to the Elysee Palace for a special ceremony on Sunday.
PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani were mentioned in Macron’s animated speech addressing the first French team to have won the UEFA Champions League since 1993.
“This victory owes a lot to you, Dear President Nasser,” Macron said midway through his speech after thanking head coach Luis Enrique, sporting director Luis Campos and the players.
“For 14 years, you’ve been through a lot, but you’ve always defended the club, the city and French football. There were happy and unhappy times, but you never gave up.”
The Parisian side lifted its maiden Champions League trophy with an emphatic 5-0 win against Italy’s Inter Milan on Saturday, marking a moment of culmination following five decades of setbacks.
While the club managed to reach the finals in the 2019/20 season — nine years after Qatar Sports Investment’s takeover — it succumbed to German side Bayern Munich. The nadir of the project under new owners, however, had perhaps come three seasons prior when Barcelona plotted a stunning 6-1 comeback against PSG in the quarterfinals.
President Macron thanked Qatar for continuing to believe in the club despite PSG’s “outsized adventures”.
“I also want to thank Qatar, which has been a demanding part and continues to reinvest in the club and never let it go,” he said, alluding to QSI’s continued backing for the club, from player transfers to brand building and infrastructure.
“There were years when it was hard for Qatar, but they kept believing in PSG. I want to thank the Amir of Qatar and all those who have enabled this success under your [Al-Khelaifi]’s Presidency.”
Luis Enrique’s side also completed the treble with the win in Munich, having already secured the Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France titles. It was not always rainbows and sunshine for PSG, however, as Macron mentioned in his address.
PSG had finished fourth the season before QSI’s takeover and were rarely considered as one of France’s most successful clubs. Instead, they were marred by faltering administration, violence amongst its Ultras group, and decreasing interest. The owners, eversince 2011, have also been accused of “sportswashing“.
It would be fair to say the Qatari investment had brought success to the French capital, even without the recent win, however, the last jewel in the crown is finally in place.
“It’s a team with the willpower, ambition and solidarity. That’s the football we like to see,” Macron said about the squad which largely consists of talented youngsters — a shift from what many called a Galacticos approach of buying experienced stars.
“You did it in the most fantastic and sublime way. You are the champions and you brought Paris to the top of Europe and gave us all something to live for and get excited together,” he added.
Captain and the longest-serving player after the takeover, Marquinhos, was visibly moved as the French President spoke, shedding tears on the podium.
Macron, who has now established himself as an ardent football fan following appearances in some of French football’s recent watershed moments, had begun his speech condemning Saturday’s events in Paris.
Two people lost their lives and hundreds were arrested overnight as clashes broke out after PSG’s win in the streets of the French capital. “As a nation, we grieve for these people,” the French President said. “We will continue to follow up and prosecute the perpetrators because that is not what football represents.”
Following the ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the triumphant side then organised a bus parade en route to the Parc des Princes, where tens of thousands had gathered to celebrate the players and the much-awaited title.
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