Luis Enrique lauded the team he has built over the years after Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) successfully defended their Champions League title on 30/5. The Spanish coach attributed PSG's sustained dominance in Europe to his players' motivation and progressive spirit.

"These players are truly exceptional," he told Movistar. "I often have to tell them to stop training, yet they still push themselves. When individuals genuinely love their work, it ceases to be a sacrifice. I am confident this team will maintain its strong competitive edge next season."

Coach Luis Enrique after the Champions League final awards ceremony at Puskas Stadium, Budapest, Hungary on 30/5/2026. *Photo: Reuters*

The 56-year-old coach acknowledged the final against Arsenal was as challenging as anticipated. He noted that Mikel Arteta's team had demonstrated their strength throughout the season, giving PSG a difficult match. "Arsenal is incredibly competitive, and they proved that all season," Enrique remarked. "They scored first and created many problems for us."

The Spanish tactician explained that PSG encountered significant obstacles in the first half, struggling to penetrate Arsenal's compact defensive system. "Against Arsenal, attempting to dribble through the middle is essentially self-destruction," he observed. "After conceding, we became somewhat unsettled and our formation became too stretched. However, in the second half, our performance improved, and we gained control of the match."

At Puskas Stadium, Arsenal took the lead in the 6th minute with a goal from Kai Havertz, their only shot on target in the match. PSG equalized in the 65th minute via an Ousmane Dembele penalty. After 120 minutes of deadlock, the game proceeded to a penalty shootout. Arsenal's Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes both missed their spot-kicks, resulting in a 3-4 defeat for the Gunners. "We deserved the win, but Arsenal would have also been worthy champions," Enrique stated. "Both teams had an outstanding season."

Marquinhos and teammates lift the 2026 Champions League trophy. *Video: PSG*

This victory marks Enrique's third Champions League title as a coach: one with Barca and two consecutive triumphs with PSG. He admitted that he had not experienced successfully defending a European crown before. "I had only witnessed Real Madrid accomplish that, so this feeling is new to me," he shared. "The first championship was historic, and this second title is even more special."

Enrique believes PSG has achieved its primary objective: establishing itself as a consistent presence among Europe's elite clubs. He is determined for the team to maintain this standing. Furthermore, he aims for the Parisian side to achieve this "with a style of play that captivates everyone."

Following a successful season, Enrique announced he would spend the summer break with family and friends before preparing for the next campaign. He expressed confidence that the current squad possesses the ability to achieve further success. "We will analyze everything in due course; there's no need to rush," he stressed. "PSG has an exceptional squad, and now is the time for everyone to enjoy their well-deserved holiday."

Hoang An (according to Marca)