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Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos believes his team are ready to manage the pressure of Saturday’s Champions League final against Inter Milan and finally end their long wait for European glory.
Speaking in Munich ahead of the highly anticipated clash, the Brazilian defender expressed confidence in PSG’s growth and maturity over the years.
“The club has learned a lot about how to handle games like these. We know what’s required,” said the 31-year-old. “We’ve been through highs and lows, but tomorrow we have a glorious chance to make history for this club.”
It marks PSG’s second appearance in a Champions League final, five years after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in a fan-less final held during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe are the only remaining players from that squad, though Kimpembe now plays a lesser role.
Since joining the club in 2013, Marquinhos has experienced some painful Champions League memories, including the infamous 2017 collapse against Barcelona.
Ironically, PSG’s current coach, Luis Enrique, was in charge of the Barcelona side that overturned a 4-0 deficit with a 6-1 victory in the return leg.
Now, Enrique leads a youthful PSG squad brimming with confidence and talent. “We have an exceptional coach who’s prepared us well. Despite being a young team, we’re showing how ready we are for these moments,” Marquinhos said.
He credits the club’s development, the arrival of quality players, and Enrique’s leadership as the reasons behind their strong campaign.
PSG reached the final after dispatching three Premier League sides — Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal — and also secured a domestic double, all despite the departure of star striker Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid.
Joining Marquinhos at the press conference was Ousmane Dembélé, who has reinvented himself this season as a central striker, scoring 33 goals in all competitions and becoming a Ballon d’Or contender.
“I’m proud to be here,” Dembélé said. “The start of the campaign was tough — I got sent off in the loss to Bayern in November — but we’ve completely changed the momentum since then. It’s a joy to be here, but we know we must take this game seriously.”
Head coach Luis Enrique, chasing his second Champions League title after winning it with Barcelona in 2015, described the occasion as a historic opportunity.
Coincidentally, that final also took place in Germany against an Italian side — Barcelona beat Juventus in Berlin.
“Ten years on, I have much more experience,” Enrique said. “We’ve got the chance to do something unprecedented for PSG. We have to control our emotions and focus on the task. Inter are a strong side, but we’re ready. This promises to be a fantastic final, and our goal is to lift the trophy.”
