Champions League

FORMER PSG star Kylian Mbappe has broken his silence after the Parisian giants made history in Munich.Luis Enrique’s side thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 on Saturday night to secure a first-ever Champions League crown.Kylian Mbappe has congratulated his former club PSG on their maiden Champions League triumphCredit: EPAThe Frenchman suffered heartbreak in the 2020 final for PSG against Bayern MunichCredit: EPAPSG boss Luis Enrique appeared to fire a dig to his former striker after beating InterCredit: GettyMbappe spent six years with PSG as the club tried in vain to end its European hoodoo. The 26-year-old was a beaten finalist in 2020 when Bayern Munich broke French hearts.Mbappe left for Real Madrid last summer after his contract expired in Paris.And he sent a gracious message to his former employers as they beat him to a maiden Champions League title.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLTaking to Instagram, Mbappe told his 124 million followers: “The big day has finally arrived.”Victory – and in style – for an entire club. Congratulations @psg.”Mbappe’s exit from Paris was soured by a spat over unpaid wages.The forward made a claim of £46.5million against his former club, believing he was owed a signing bonus, his final three months’ salary and an “ethical” payment. Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKEnrique was asked about Mbappe following his team’s history-making win on Saturday. The Spaniard replied: “We would have loved to have him, but his decision was different.”PSG crowned Champions League winners after smashing Inter Milan 5-0He then added: “We’ve shown that we have stars at the service of the team, and not the other way around.”The win was Enrique’s second Champions League triumph after leading Barcelona to glory 10 years ago.He used the moment to pay tribute to youngest daughter Xana, who tragically died in 2019 at the age of nine from bone cancer.Champions League final REACTION – PSG 5-0 InterFollowing his blockbuster move last summer, Mbappe has hit the ground running at the Bernabeu.He scored 42 goals in 55 games across all competitions this term. But Los Blancos went trophyless, missing out on LaLiga to rivals Barcelona and crashing out of the CL at the quarter final stage to Arsenal. More

LUIS ENRIQUE paid an emotional tribute to his late daughter Xana after winning the Champions League.Enrique led Paris Saint-Germain to the holy grail of European football for the first time ever with a record-breaking 5-0 win over Inter Milan.Luis Enrique paid tribute to late daughter Xana after winning the Champions LeagueCredit: GettyXana tragically died aged nine from bone cancer in 2019Credit: Getty – ContributorShe famously waved a Barcelona flag after Enrique’s first Champions League win 10 years agoCredit: AFPDesire Doue led the way with two goals and an assist.Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Senny Mayulu were also on target as PSG inflicted the biggest-ever European Cup final defeat on helpless Inter.At the final whistle, Enrique celebrated by hugging wife Elena, son Pacho, 26, and daughter Sira, 25.The result marked the Spanish boss’ second Champions League win after leading Barcelona to glory 10 years ago.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Enrique also used the moment to pay tribute to youngest daughter Xana, who tragically died in 2019 at the age of nine from bone cancer.Following 2015’s UCL win, Xana famously waved a Barcelona flag as proud dad Enrique watched on.A decade later, the gaffer remembered his daughter as he switched into a black T-shirt bearing her name.The top also showed a picture of two cartoon characters, one little and one large, each clutching a flag bearing PSG’s club crest.Most read in Champions LeagueMeanwhile in the stands, French fans also paid tribute with a tifo showing Enrique planting a PSG flag into the ground with Xana watching on while wearing their club shirt.Fans were left with tears in their eyes as they reacted to the tributes.Champions League travel chaos erupts as fans block train and throw rocks and tear gas is deployed on boardEnrique paid tribute to Xana with a t-shirt depicting her with a PSG flagCredit: TNT SportsFans in the stands also showed their respect with an amazing tifoCredit: TNT SportsThe tifo remembered this special moment between father and daughterCredit: GettyEnrique celebrated the win with his wife and two other childrenCredit: Shutterstock EditorialThe group hugged each other in delightful scenes at full timeCredit: Shutterstock EditorialOne said: “My heart is so full of joy for this man and his little angel.”Another declared: “He’s made sure Xana is with him in victory again.”One noted: “Xana is with you today.”Another added: “I’m glad he won for her.”Speaking before the final, Enrique revealed that Xana would be with him on the sideline in spirit.Enrique said: “I remember an incredible photo I have with my daughter, after winning the Champions League, placing a Barca flag on the pitch.Read More on The Sun“I wish I could do the same with PSG. She won’t be there physically, but she’ll be there spiritually and that’s very important to me.”After the final whistle, Enrique added: “Xana is not physically here, but she is always connected to me and she is enjoying this time with us.”Cancer types, signs and symptomsEverything you need to know about different types of Cancer More

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN blitzed Inter Milan to win their first ever Champions League crown.Luis Enrique’s side blew Inter away in the first-half and never looked back against their under-par Serie A opponents.Paris Saint-Germain lift the Champions League trophy for the first timeCredit: GettyAchraf Hakimi scored against his former side to give PSG the lead on 12 minutes.Brilliant wonderkid Desire Doue then doubled his side’s tally after just 20 minutes to put PSG firmly in command.Sensational starlet Doue grabbed his second shortly after the hour mark, before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Senny Mayulu got in on the act late on.On a historic night in Munich, here’s how SunSport’s Dan King rated each victorious PSG star.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLChampions League final 24-25 LIVEGianluigi Donnarumma – 6A spectator for most of the first half. Whenever Inter had a glimmer of an opening, his defenders shut it down or watched their opponents fail to capitalise.He did not have a save of any kind to make in the first 45 minutes.Pawed unconvincingly at a couple of crosses after the break but still did not make a save until the 75th minute when he got down well to deny Thuram. Gianluigo Donnarumma was largely a spectatorCredit: GettyAchraf Hakimi – 8Put Inter on the back foot from the start by playing high to wipe out the Italians’ apparent superiority in midfield numbers.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKSo it was typical that he was the one waiting when his team-mates picked apart the Inter defence for the first time.Occasionally his ambition threatened to leave his team open, but it never proved fatal.Achraf Hakimi opened the scoring for PSGCredit: GettyChampions League travel chaos erupts as fans block train and throw rocks and tear gas is deployed on boardMarquinhos – 7The only member of the PSG defence to look a little vulnerable at times in the first half, but even then only for a short while after Marcus Thuram did him for pace.Otherwise formed a solid partnership with Pacho that allowed the full-backs, especially Hakimi to push on.Read the game well to make interceptions.PSG stalwart Marquinhos finally got his hands on the Champions League trophyCredit: GettyWillian Pacho – 9Let Thuram and Lautaro Martinez know who was boss right from the start. Used his strength and physicality to win balls in the air and to shut doors that were threatening to open.And it was his determination not to let the ball go out for a corner that led to his team’s second goal.Made some important interventions as Inter improved (a bit) and kept his concentration and commitment going until the end.Willian Pacho won all of his personal duelsCredit: Shutterstock EditorialNuno Mendes – 7Laid down a marker early on by winning a 50/50 ball against Thuram that the Inter striker just didn’t want as much.Less ambitious going forward than Hakimi, tucking in to create a back three or a midfield overload.Says a lot that Inter’s player of the competition Denzel Dumfries was anonymous.Nuno Mendes has been brilliant all season for PSGCredit: Shutterstock EditorialJoao Neves – 8Worked just as hard as his midfield partners, but on the less glamorous side of the game, without the ball.Used his intelligence to judge when to press and when to block the passing channels as Inter struggled to find any sort of rhythm.The Inter trio Mkhitaryan, Barella and Calhanoglu will be sick of the sight of himJoao Neves was immense in midfield all dayCredit: EPAVitinha – 9Set the tone of the game even before the absolute peach of a pass that found Doue in the box to tee up the opening goal.The little maestro conducted the game, pulling the strings and creating the shapes that stopped Inter’s midfield making any impression.Made important challenge in his own box early in the second half then found Doue perfectly for the third.Vitinha has cemented his place as one of world’s best midfieldersCredit: EPAFabian Ruiz – 8Spain’s Euros-winning midfielder was perpetual motion, popping up all over the pitch and offering his team-mates option after option.One moment he was a centre forward, the next a No10, then a midfield pivot, then he dropped into centre back to start the play again.Not as energetic and influential in the second half but still a commanding presence who kept Inter in their box.Fabian Ruiz was a commanding presence in the middleCredit: AFPDesire Doue – 9Kylian who? Liveliest of the PSG front three from the get go, making a nuisance of himself down the right Yet he suddenly popped up at inside left to receive Vitinha’s pass and tee up Hakimi.But he found space again on the right to make it 2-0 after Dembele’s pass.Humiliated Bastoni in build-up to another Hakimi chance before taking his second goal superbly to kill the game. A career-defining display – at 19.Desire Doue has the world at is feet aged just 19Credit: GettyOusmane Dembele – 9Started slowly, but gradually became a key figure. Like Ruiz, he was turning up in unexpected places, even appearing at right back on one occasion to retrieve the ball.Worried Inter with his pace and was equally speed in thought to sweep the ball across to Doue for the second goal.Should have made it three when Doue returned the compliment, but his backheel led to Doue’s second and his pass to KK’s strike.Ousmane Dembele has put himself into Ballon d’Or contentionCredit: AFPKhvicha Kvaratskhelia – 8Did not quite live up to the Messi and Maradona comparisons on this particular occasion, but still did his bit, sometimes simply by terrifying Inter with what he might do.Outjumped by Thuram for a rare Inter first-half chance, then failed to hit the target with his own header and a couple of chances in the second half.Finally got his goal to make it four but won’t mind being outshone by the other two musketeers.Khvicha Kvaratskhelia bagged PSG’s fourth goal on the nightCredit: GettySUBSBradley Barcola (for Doue, 67) – 7Was always going to be hard to follow Doue’s display.But missed a really good chance from the corner of the six-yard box, then dumped Acerbi on his backside with a brilliant bit of skill only to shoot into the side netting.Dragged another shot well wide before fine pass teed up fellow sub Mayulu.Bradley Barcola missed a brilliant chance to scoreCredit: EPALucas Hernandez (for Mendes, 78) – 6Did not have much to do, apart from thanking Kvaratskhelia for an incredible bit of tracking back.Goncalo Ramos (for Kvaratskhelia, 84) – 6The Portugal striker had no time to make the same impression as his compatriots.Senny Mayulu (for Ruiz, 84) – 7Wonderful finish to make it five and he celebrated properly with virtually every member of the PSG travelling party.Read More on The SunSenny Mayulu netted PSG’s fifth goal late onCredit: AFPWarren Zaire-Emery (for Neves, 84) – 6Can at least say he was on the pitch for one of the five goalsSubs not used: Matvei Safonov, Presnel Kimpemble, Lee Kang-in, Lucas Beraldo, Ibrahim Mbaye, Arnau Tenas  More

INTER left-back Federico Dimarco had an absolute nightmare against Paris Saint-Germain’s lethal young guns in the Champions League final.The Serie A side were butchered 5-0 by the Parisians in Munich, with 19-year-old Desire Doue running the show in his first European final.Simone Inzaghi consoles Federico Dimarco at full-timePSG battered Inter Milan 5-0 in MunichInter’s Hakan Calhanoglu was shell-shocked by half-timePSG won the Champions League for first time – and Luis Enrique became the first manager to win the continental treble with two different teams – the other being Barcelona.But there was only one side in it. After a blistering start, Achraf Hakimi opened the scoring in the 12th minute.And while he didn’t celebrate against his former side, soon PSG doubled their lead when Doue’s back-post strike bobbled in.But after going toe-to-toe with Barca in two of the best-ever UCL semi-finals, hopeless Inter had no answers against PSG, who have now scored 152 goals this season.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSWith Inter pushing on for a goal, the space PSG had in attack was scary, with Doue punishing them with a composed finish for 3-0, before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia made it FOUR.At the death, 19-year-old sub Senny Mayulu celebrated like he scored a last-minute winner for 5-0.Here SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rates and slates the Inter players who left their fans in floods of tears in the Allianz Arena in Munich.Yann Sommer – 3Shell-shocked by a rampant PSG. Couldn’t have really done much about the first two goals.Most read in Champions LeagueThe 36-year-old Swiss stopper was left standing when Doue’s shot took a nick off Dimarco for 2-0.Did well to avoid 3-0 in 30 minutes when he held Fabian Ruiz’s skiddy effort. Was let down by his back-line in the second half.Benjamin Pavard – 4First start since being sidelined with an ankle injury last month.Great touches at times but was disjointed with his team-mates when it came to crossing the ball in. Not physical enough.Was caught out of position when Inter lost the ball, with PSG so lethal on the break.  First man to come off with Dimarco. Francesco Acerbi – 3Should’ve grabbed a goal back in the 23rd minute. With Inter relying on set pieces, Acerbi rose free as a bird from 10 yards but his header zoomed over the crossbar.Was booked for dissent in the 70th minute. And fell on his backside when Bradley Barcola skipped past him before denying his side 5-0.The 37-year-old kept teenage goalscorer Mayulu, who was on the pitch for two minutes, onside for 5-0. A broken man.Alessandro Bastoni – 4Told Dimarco off for ball-watching 40 SECONDS before PSG took the lead.Was part of the back three which were all over the place for Kvaratskhelia’s fourth. Threw the towel in after that.Denzel Dumfries – 5Had a tough job to do against the world’s best left back Nuno Mendes. The Dutchman couldn’t repeat his masterclass against Barca.Was completely missing throughout his 90 minutes, but not exactly his fault as Inter struggled to get him on the ball.Federico Dimarco – 2Lack of concentration cost his team. He was far too deep for PSG’s opener and kept assister Doue onside for Hakimi’s slick tap-in.The Italian’s nightmare start was made worse when he was caught napping for 2-0 before turning his back for Doue’s goal, which deflected off him.Every PSG ball went out to his side after that – the left-back was a like a deer in headlights against teenager Doue and Ousmane Dembele. Was hooked off in the 54th minute, with Paris fans doing the Poznan.Dimarco had a howler against PSGHakan Calhanoglu – 5Cut a frustrated figure as his team were utterly dominated in the first 20 minutes. The camera kept panning to his sad face.The midfielder delivered brilliant corners for Acerbi and Thuram’s big chances in the first half.But he scuffed a real opportunity with a shocking over-hit free-kick just after half-time. Lasted 70 minutes.Nicolo Barella – 5Barella tried to let the ball run out for a corner at the other end before 2-0 but he had not reckoned on the pace of this PSG side.Touch of an elephant when Dumfries’ cross ricocheted back to him inside the box on the brink of half-time.Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi reacts as Nicolo Barella looks onHenrikh Mkhitaryan – 4The former Manchester United midfielder appeared to have his first touch in the 35th minute – the first half just passed him by. Got a vital touch to put PSG off before 3-0. He was hauled off instantly after in the 62nd minute.Lautaro Martinez – 4Totally isolated with Inter unable to string a pass together in the first half.Kept having to come deep to get the ball, with PSG’s defence rarely threatened.Gianluigi Donnarumma made his first – and only – stop of the evening in the 75th minute.Martinez’ touch map in the first halfMarcus Thuram – 5Like Martinez, couldn’t get a sniff of the action with PSG so dominant. Had his first touch with a big chance on the brink of half-time when his powerful header skimmed past the post from six yards out.Anything on target there and Inter were back in business. Thuram booked for being late on Ruiz.SUBSYann Aurel Bisseck (for Pavard, 55 min) – N/ALasted SEVEN minutes after tweaking his hamstring after coming on.Was in floods of tears when making his way back to the bench. while PSG made it 3-0.Nicola Zalweski (for Dimarco, 54 min) – 5Get tackle to stop a potential PSG break. He was harshly booked for his efforts within minutes of coming on.Matteo Darmian (for Bissek, 62 min) – 5Was brutally asked to come on with his side being hammered.Read More on The SunCarlos Augusto (for Mkhitaryan, 62 min) – 5.5Kristjan Asllani (for Calhanogulu, 70 min) – 6 PSGPSG XI: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, DoueSunSport’s Dan King rated the PSG stars from the stadium. More

WITH the thrilling exuberance of youth and the vast oil wealth of Qatar, Paris St Germain were finally crowned champions of Europe last night. In a performance you could hang in the Louvre, Desire Doue staged a teenage rampage through the heart of an elderly Inter Milan defence, scoring twice and assisting once to inspire the heaviest victory margin of any European Cup Final.PSG are champions of Europe after thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in the finalCredit: GettyInter’s defeat to PSG was the heaviest in European Cup final historyCredit: GettyDesire Doue stole the show in Munich as PSG won at a canterCredit: AFPLuis Enrique inspired his men to a rampant winCredit: GettyThe Spaniard now has two Champions Leagues to his nameCredit: GettyIt was a night to remember for Enrique and PSGCredit: GettyThe French side have been chasing victory in Europe for yearsCredit: GettyThey have now taken their rightful place as the kings of EuropeCredit: GettyLuis Enrique’s side laid waste to Inter as they had done to four Premier League clubs en route to this glorious Bavarian night. His is a team which is everything it didn’t used to be when the Galactico trio Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe held sway at the Parc des Princes. PSG are the ultimate in high-class, high-octane, highly-selfless teamwork – a combination of beauty and efficiency about everything they do.Achraf Hakimi, one of two thunderous attacking full-backs, had opened the scoring.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd the Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia hammered the fourth – then typified his team’s approach by sprinting back about 70 yards to half an Inter break with his side 4-0 up in the dying minutes.   Senny Mayulu, another 19-year-old, then sealed the deal with a late strike from Bradley Barcola’s assist. Doue, the 19-year-old plucked from Rennes last summer, was the headline act but Ousmane Demebele played a major role in three goals to tighten his grip on this year’s Ballon d’Or. It has been 14 years since the Qatari state seized control of PSG and after one previous final defeat under Thomas Tuchel in 2020, this was their moment. Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSPSG had an average age of 23 this season, Inter were the oldest in the competition at a touch over 30. And anybody who suggested that Inter’s experience and nous would prove a match for this zestful young PSG side was made to look utterly foolish.  Inter Milan fans INVADE Munich ahead of Champions League final vs PSGAchraf Hakimi got the ball rolling in the 12th minuteCredit: AFPHe refused to celebrate against his former sideCredit: GettySo for the fifth time Munich staged a European Cup Final – and for the fifth time, we had brand-new winners – just like Nottingham Forest, Marseille, Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea. And after Marseille at the old Olympic Stadium in 1993, this was only the second time a French club had ever won Old Big Ears.  PSG had performed a demolition job on all four of the Premier League clubs in this year’s competition, while Inter had seen off final hosts Bayern before they accounted for Barcelona in a classic semi-final. So while this wasn’t the most alluring of fixtures for English audiences, these were two very worthy finalists. Doue bagged his first goal just seven minutes laterCredit: APThe forward was delighted, having assisted Hakimi’s openerCredit: ReutersInter might easily have denied Manchester City their Treble in the final in Istanbul two years ago – but this was a bridge too far for Simone Inzaghi Izaghi’s men seemed content to sit deep, soak it up, let the kids do all the running. And yet PSG are too good for that sort of passive defensive approach and, after 12 minutes, they scored a goal of gorgeous simplicity. Vitinha, the tick-tock man at the base of the Parisian defence, picked out a cute pass which released Doue, who squared for Hakimi to tap in at the far post.  Doue then netted his second goal in the 63rd minuteCredit: GettyHe ripped off his shirt in wild celebrationsCredit: GettyIt shouldn’t have been so easy to baffle a bunch of brutish Italian defenders with two straight-line passes but that was what Enrique’s men did. And on 20 minutes, it was 2-0. At the opposite end, Inter staged a set-piece long throw and then got caught with their pants down within seconds. Willian Pacho stopped the ball going out of play behind Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goal, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia released Dembele, who sprinted down the left and picked out Doue with a crossfield pass. Doue chested down and rifled a shot which deflected off Federico Dimarco to leave Yann Sommer motionless on his knees. Khvicha Kvaratshkelia got involved 10 minutes laterCredit: ReutersThe winger only joined PSG from Napoli in JanuaryCredit: ReutersEnrique’s chief selection call had been over whether to choose Doue or Bradley Barcola. Within 20 minutes, Doue had one assist and one goal. It hadn’t been a bad shout to pick him.    Inter had some enterprising moments themselves but, the thing is with PSG, they can defend as well. Pacho is one hell of a defender. From Ecuador via Belgium and Frankfurt, he is such a gem that you just assumed that Brighton would have bought him and sold him for an immense profit years ago. Still, Franceso Acerbi and Marcus Thuram were both off-target with headers.Sub Senny Mayulu came off the bench to net PSG’s fifthCredit: GettyThe teen secured history for PSG in the 86th minuteCredit: ReutersYet before, Paris ought to have tucked this match in and kissed it goodnight – Doue centring for Dembele, who somehow shot in entirely the wrong direction. Then Doue tested Sommer and Kvaratskhelia was narrowly wide with a deflected shot, before he headed wide from the resulting corner. It was extremely one-sided stuff. After the break, Kvaratskhelia squandered a glaring close-range chance but it didn’t matter.  Inter Milan players appeared distraught after the disastrous resultCredit: GettySimone Inzaghi’s future will be under the spotlight amid links to Saudi ArabiaCredit: EPADoue had just executed a sumptuous pirouette on the touchline to embarrass Alessandro Bastoni when he netted his second. This time it was Dembele who conjured the sorcery, with a back-heel to Vitinha who fed the teenager for a firm, well-placed finish. Enrique decided enough was enough and replaced Doue with Barcola, perhaps out of clemency. But Kvaratskhelia soon rifled home at the near post from a Dembele pass before Mayulu rubbed salt in the wounds. Read More on The SunAlan Hansen once said that you can’t win anything with kids.But then he’d never seen this bunch of youths.  More