Luis Enrique praised his players’ belief and mentality after Paris Saint-Germain retained the UEFA Champions League title with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Arsenal.
PSG became only the second club to successfully defend the Champions League crown after edging Arsenal 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Budapest.
Speaking after the triumph, Enrique hailed his squad’s resilience and determination throughout a demanding European campaign.
“I’ve got huge respect for Mikel Arteta and the team he’s built, but I fully believe in my players,” the PSG boss said.
Before the final, Enrique had repeatedly expressed confidence in his side, insisting the challenge of defending the Champions League trophy provided even greater motivation than Arsenal’s pursuit of a first European crown.
“We are the defending champions and we are defending a title. I don’t see a greater motivation,” Enrique said ahead of the match.
The Spaniard also paid tribute to Arteta, describing the Arsenal boss as a “top-level manager” and recalling their long-standing connection from their younger days in Spain.
“I appreciate Mikelito Arteta. We used to be teammates when we were kids. He did a great job at Arsenal,” Enrique said before the final.
PSG forward Desire Doue celebrated the achievement and said the team remain hungry for more success.
“We are so, so proud, so happy and grateful. It was a tough game against a good team. We have to enjoy this as a team, as a family because we deserve it,” Doue said.
“We have to stay humble and we will work again. We want more, we are a young, hungry team. We will go again.”
Enrique’s side have now secured consecutive Champions League titles, further cementing the Spanish coach’s growing legacy in Paris and establishing PSG as one of Europe’s dominant forces.
