President Macron Welcomes Champions League Winners PSG to Élysée Palace

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Élysée Palace on Monday to celebrate the club’s historic UEFA Champions League triumph, marking the first time the capital club has lifted Europe’s most prestigious club football trophy.

The PSG delegation — including players, coaches, and staff — were welcomed in a formal ceremony recognizing their extraordinary achievement, which has sparked a wave of national pride and celebration across France.

“This victory belongs to you, but also to all of France,” Macron told the team during his speech in the palace’s grand reception hall. “You have made the country proud. Your perseverance, talent, and unity have inspired millions.”

PSG secured their long-awaited European crown with a 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the final held in Munich on Saturday.

The Parisian club demonstrated tactical brilliance and team cohesion throughout their Champions League campaign, defeating elite sides like Liverpool and FC Barcelona en route to the final.

Club captain Marquinhos presented President Macron with a signed PSG jersey, symbolizing the unity between the club and the nation.

“This trophy means the world to us,” said the Brazilian defender. “It reflects the hard work, resilience, and belief that carried us through the most difficult moments.”

Head coach Luis Enrique, who took over managerial duties last year, praised the dedication of his squad and staff. “Winning the Champions League is the ultimate dream,” he said. “I’m immensely proud of this group — not just for their skill, but for their character.”

While past PSG campaigns often featured big-name stars like Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, this season’s success came with a reshaped and rebalanced squad.

With Mbappé having departed the club in the summer of 2024, the team relied on a new generation of talent and a more collective approach on the pitch.

Key contributions from midfield engine Vitinha, forward Randal Kolo Muani, and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma proved decisive during the knockout stages.

The ceremony at the Élysée was marked by a celebratory and relaxed atmosphere, with Macron interacting warmly with the squad, sharing laughs, and posing for photos with players in the palace garden.

A lifelong football enthusiast, the President emphasized the broader significance of PSG’s win, noting how sport can act as a powerful force for national unity and pride.

PSG’s Champions League victory is a watershed moment for French football, ending a more than three-decade wait for a French club to claim the trophy — the last being Olympique de Marseille in 1993.

As the players exited the palace, they were greeted by crowds of cheering fans outside the gates, with chants and club anthems echoing along the Champs-Élysées.

For PSG, the triumph is not just a sporting milestone but a statement of resilience and rebirth — proof that after years of frustration, European glory is finally theirs.

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members