Khelaifi’s Bold Verbal Championship: Mbappé Shines as PSG’s European Dream Gains Ground
23 October 2025
Key moments from the Sorbonne address
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, chairman and president of Paris Saint-Germain, acknowledged that much of the club’s progress rests on the contributions of numerous stars who joined since the Qatari takeover in 2011.
At a Sorbonne seminar in Paris, he recalled, "A few years ago we raised the banner 'Dream Bigger', and then we paused, because we didn’t want to dream only. But I was certain we would win the UEFA Champions League someday—though I didn’t know when."
He spoke to around 500 students, urging them, "Trust your goals, don’t let anyone derail you; the Champions League dream was incredibly hard, so don’t fixate on small things but chase the big dreams and mind the tiny details, because that’s what makes the difference."
He noted, as quoted by L’Equipe, that every signing contributed to the club’s success, especially pillars like Kylian Mbappé, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Edinson Cavani, each helping to build PSG’s identity and ambition.
Al-Khelaifi added that loyalty to those who helped you should be a constant; the club’s philosophy grows from teamwork, and the drive to fight for others under the guidance of the world’s best coach and the most passionate fans imaginable.
Regarding the Qatar-backed leadership and why Paris, he explained: "We had several investment opportunities, and we chose Paris because we love France—it's the most beautiful city in the world. We bought the club for €70 million and invested in it, including the training center."
He continued, noting that about a year and a half ago PSG’s value without its own stadium was around €5 billion, and with signings and stronger management, that valuation has likely risen since. His closing lines were simple: work hard, hold onto your dreams, and join Paris Saint‑Germain.
Season snapshot and European run
On the field, PSG’s 2025-2026 campaign began with five wins and a solitary loss to their arch-rival Marseille in the Classique—a clash staged near the Ballon d’Or ceremony after a 24-hour weather delay. The campaign also featured two draws in eight Ligue 1 fixtures as the team navigated a challenging start to the season.
PSG opened with a pair of 1-0 wins over Nantes and Angers, followed by a 6-3 thrashing of Toulouse, and a 2-0 victory against Lens, then a 2-0 win at Auxerre. Before the international break, they drew 1-1 away to Lille and 3-3 at home to Strasbourg, slipping from the top of the table after eight rounds.
In Europe, PSG began the season by clinching the Super Cup against Tottenham on penalties after a 2-2 draw, then reeled off three consecutive Champions League wins over Atalanta, Barcelona, and Bayer Leverkusen, signaling a strong continental push.
After eight rounds, Marseille led Ligue 1 with 18 points, while PSG sat second on 17, followed by Strasbourg (16) and Lyon (15). Monaco remained a threat with 14 points, and Lens trailed close behind. Lens were due to face PSG as the eight-round slate wrapped, underscoring how tight the title race remained. In other league results, Strasbourg, Monaco, and Lyon each posted mixed results as the season progressed.
Thus, while PSG continues to chase both domestic consistency and European glory, the ambition and the backing to pursue it remain clear, with Mbappé and the club’s veterans at the core of their plans—and the fans ready for another thrilling chapter.
Punchline 1: If dreams were trophies, PSG would be landing helicopters at the trophy room. Punchline 2: They say go big or go home—PSG did both, then ordered room service for the victory parade.
