More fable than fairy tale
Paris St. Germain's run to the final is no story for romantics. It says a lot about success in football. A commentary by kicker editor Michael Bächle.
Three brave fighters: Fabian Ruiz, Achraf Hakimi, and Joao Neves (from left) slide toward the final. IMAGO/Le Pictorium
Once upon a time, there lived a rich prince from the Orient who desired nothing more than to unearth a legendary silver treasure. But no matter how hard he tried and adorned himself with expensive armor, the treasure remained eluded.
The term "modern football fairytale" may already be overused, but in the case of Paris St. Germain, it should certainly be abandoned after two sets at the latest. Yes, reaching the final in the first year after Kylian Mbappé's departure may be unexpected in a season that was actually ratified in advance as a transitional year—with a selection of players whose names don't quite match the brilliance of the past ten years.
Nevertheless, behind PSG's success stands a multi-billion-dollar consortium that can still compete financially with any club on the planet. A consortium that aspires to become a global brand and has made previously unthinkable investments in football over the past 14 years. All of this is much more the harsh reality than any kind of heroic legend. Much more "That's how it's done now" than "Once upon a time."
If the French success were a story, it would certainly not be a fairy tale, but perhaps more of a fable. A—as search engines and AI are quick to proclaim in the harsh reality of 2025—"short narrative that contains a lesson for the reader." And the lessons from this thoroughly deserved final appearance are unmistakable.
Paris didn't make it to the Champions League final this season because they no longer have any big names. Gianluigi Donnarumma and Achraf Hakimi , who arrived in 2021 alongside Lionel Messi , Sergio Ramos , and Georginio Wijnaldum as part of a then-unprecedented transfer spree, ultimately played a significant role in reaching the final on Wednesday night. Rather, Paris made it to the final because they now have a big team.
Coach Luis Enrique has formed a collective that – unlike many PSG teams of the past – truly deserves the name. One that follows a clear plan in positional play and operates with discipline off the ball. Or rather, one that can operate with discipline off the ball because there's no one exempt from defensive work by virtue of their status.
The right choice in the coaching position went hand in hand with the signing of players who may not have generated record-breaking shirt sales, but who fit the coach's style. The coach, who, upon arriving in Paris, begged for patience in light of the harsh reality he faced before even stepping on the sidelines for the first time, got what he needed for his brand of football. On the one hand, the right signings. But above all—and this is new in Paris—time.
After all, the first season under Luis Enrique was mixed; expensive signings like Manuel Ugarte and Randal Kolo Muani flopped because they didn't fit the coach's vision. And until the end of January, even advancing to the knockout phase of the Champions League was in jeopardy. Actionism? Not this time.
Instead, prudence, discipline, and learning from mistakes – it all sounds dry, somehow self-evident. And yet, in modern football, it isn't always the case – see Paris St. Germain from 2011 to 2023. The fable of the club that can buy anything and then realizes there's more to it is no longer a football romantic. But it does teach us a lot about success in football.
