June 1, 2025, will go down in the annals of European football. Paris Saint-Germain finally captured the long-awaited UEFA Champions League title, crushing Inter Milan 5-0 in a dramatic final at Wembley Stadium. This resounding victory not only marked a historic turning point for the Parisian club, but also caused a stir behind the scenes, particularly surrounding Luis Enrique’s comments and Kylian Mbappé’s reaction.

From the very first minutes, the match took a one-sided turn. In the 12th minute, PSG’s emerging prodigy Desire Doué delivered a pinpoint pass to Hakimi, who left opposing goalkeeper Sommer with no chance. The 1-0 lead kick-started the Parisian machine, and the rest of the match only confirmed the French team’s overwhelming dominance.

Shortly before the half-hour mark, Doué once again showed his talent with a deflected goal, plunging Inter Milan into total confusion. Despite a few sporadic attempts at a comeback, the Italians never managed to truly trouble PSG. The collective performance, bolstered by the efforts of key players like Dembele, Vitinha, Kvaratskhelia, and the youngster Mayulu, sealed the fate of this final from the first half.

Beyond the technical and tactical demonstration, this triumph is the culmination of a PSG reconstruction project, based on a collective effort rather than individual stars. It is in this context that tensions between the players in French football take on an added dimension.

A few hours after the final whistle, Kylian Mbappé, now a Real Madrid player, posted a photo on his social media celebrating his former club’s victory. The gesture immediately sparked a wave of reactions, particularly from PSG coach Luis Enrique. During a press conference, the latter responded to a question about the message with an enigmatic smile before dropping seven words that set the media ablaze: “It’s not the one who speaks who wins.”

This sentence, both cryptic and scathing, has been widely commented on. For some, it reflects a clear message sent to Mbappé, reminding us that despite his praise, it is PSG that holds the European crown. Others see it as a subtle dig, illustrating the growing rivalry between the Parisian club and its former player, now an adversary.

The drama doesn’t end there. PSG fans quickly dug up Mbappé’s past quotes, particularly those where he discussed his ambitions and conflicting feelings toward the club and his former teammate. Some fans are now asking, “Who is the real outsider?” in the face of this long-distance duel.

On the pitch, the Parisian team displayed exemplary solidarity and determination. Desire Doué, with his two goals and an assist, established himself as the new rising star. Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Senny Mayulu also made their contributions to this offensive display. PSG not only won, but also made an impression with its fluid play, collective strength, and tactical intelligence.

Inter Milan, despite its experience and desperate attempts, had to resign itself to a stinging defeat, symbolizing the end of a cycle for this Italian club in this competition.

This European title is also a victory for coach Luis Enrique, who has successfully put the collective at the heart of the project, prioritizing cohesion and commitment on the pitch. His ambiguous response to Mbappé illustrates this new philosophy well: the pitch is the place to speak, and the trophies are for teams that excel.

As Paris celebrates its first Champions League, the rivalry between Mbappé and his former club continues to fuel debate and controversy. French football, and more broadly European football, is witnessing an exciting new chapter where sport and human tensions are intensely intertwined.

PSG, buoyed by this historic triumph, seem ready to write a new era, while Mbappé and Luis Enrique continue to fuel an intrigue that fascinates fans and the press.