Paris Saint-Germain have already joined an exclusive group by winning back-to-back Champions League titles. Now Luis Enrique’s side are chasing something even rarer: a third consecutive European crown.
“Doing the treble is the objective, but we know it’s going to be very difficult and that there will be obstacles in our way,” PSG captain Marquinhos said ahead of the new campaign.
For years, European success remained frustratingly out of reach for the Qatar-owned club. That changed after former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique arrived in Paris in 2023.
PSG reached the Champions League semi-finals during his first season before taking another major step following Kylian Mbappe’s departure in 2024.
Freed from their reliance on one or two superstar names, PSG developed into a more balanced and devastating team. They swept through Europe on their way to a maiden Champions League title in 2025, demolishing Inter Milan 5-0 in the final.
A year later, they successfully defended their crown by beating Premier League champions Arsenal on penalties in Budapest.
That triumph made PSG only the second club to retain the trophy since the modern Champions League era began in 1992.
Winning it for a third consecutive season, however, would elevate Luis Enrique’s team into even more remarkable company.
Real Madrid are the only club to have won three consecutive titles in the Champions League era, dominating Europe under Zinedine Zidane between 2016 and 2018.
Before the competition was rebranded, Johan Cruyff’s Ajax and Franz Beckenbauer’s Bayern Munich both won three successive European Cups during the 1970s.
Real Madrid’s legendary side featuring Alfredo Di Stefano went even further, winning the first five editions of the European Cup between 1956 and 1960.
That is the historic company PSG are now attempting to join.
Doing so in the modern competition is particularly demanding. Under the expanded Champions League format, PSG played 17 matches during each of their last two successful European campaigns.
At their best, however, few teams appear capable of containing them.
An attack led by Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia combines devastating pace and movement, while attacking full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes provide another major threat.
In midfield, Portuguese playmaker Vitinha leads a technically gifted trio capable of controlling matches even against more physically imposing opponents.
PSG’s quality is reflected in their record against English opposition. Across their two title-winning campaigns, they played 18 matches against Premier League teams while also collecting two UEFA Super Cups.
The greatest obstacle to another Champions League triumph may not be another club, but PSG’s relentless schedule.
Luis Enrique’s team played 121 competitive matches across the previous two seasons, with only a three-week break separating them because of their involvement in the Club World Cup.
Many members of the squad also featured at major international tournaments in 2024 before enduring another shortened summer because of the World Cup.
That workload could help explain PSG’s rusty start to the new campaign.
Their dominance of French football at least provides Luis Enrique with opportunities to manage his squad carefully. PSG remain favourites to win Ligue 1 and have enough depth to rest important players domestically ahead of major European fixtures.
Their Champions League defence also begins with a favourable fixture against Slovan Bratislava.
The difficulty quickly increases, though, with PSG travelling to Manchester City before hosting Barcelona in October.
PSG have also made significant changes to their squad.
Bradley Barcola departed for Liverpool in a major-money transfer, while Goncalo Ramos, Lee Kang-in and Ibrahim Mbaye — all useful squad players last season — have also been sold.
Among the headline arrivals are France international Maghnes Akliouche and Spain forward Ferran Torres.
Torres reunites with Luis Enrique after previously working with the coach at international level.
“He was like a footballing father for me when I played for him in the national team,” Torres said following his move from Barcelona.
Yet PSG’s most important figure may still be standing on the touchline.
Luis Enrique has transformed PSG from perennial Champions League underachievers into European football’s dominant force.
His influence is now arguably greater than that of any individual player, and PSG have secured his long-term future with a new contract running until 2030.
“It is the first time I have stayed four years at the same club, and I am more motivated than I was in my first year,” Luis Enrique said.
For PSG’s European rivals, that determination could be an ominous sign.
Two consecutive Champions League titles have already secured this PSG team a place in the history books.
A third would put them among the greatest European sides of all time.
