Paris Saint-Germain have just as much of a point to prove as Arsenal when they lock horns in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday night.
10:53, 28 May 2026
Luis Enrique
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Luis Enrique (Image: Getty Images)
Bradley Barcola has warned Arsenal about Paris Saint-Germain's 'greatest strength' ahead of the UEFA Champions League final. The 23-year-old winger hopes to win Europe's elite competition in successive seasons, helping Luis Enrique's side become just the second team to do so in the new era since Real Madrid in 2017.
Last year, Barcola came off the bench midway through the second half of the Champions League final at the Allianz Arena. Shortly after coming on, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia combined with Ousmane Dembele to give PSG an eye-watering 4-0 lead.
Then, in the final minutes, Barcola chipped in, providing an assist for Senny Mayulu, who put the fifth and final nail in the Inter Milan coffin. This year, the France international will hope to start at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary.
Hoping to get into Enrique's good books, Barcola told him exactly what he would want to hear. Speaking to club media ahead of the Champions League final against Arsenal, he said: "It’s a great honour to be playing in a second final.
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"We’re going to do everything we can to win it. We’re trying to build as much confidence as possible ahead of this final, and we’re going to work hard to make sure we’re ready," added the Frenchman, who didn't manage to get on the scoresheet when PSG faced Arsenal in the semi-finals last season.
"I really think it’s our collective strength. The fact that we play together, attack together and defend together. We really play as a team, and that’s our greatest strength right now."
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Singing from the same hymn sheet, Kvaratskhelia said: "I think that it's one of the team's biggest strengths. We're happy to play together and are very close-knit, and we know that if we fight for each other and play our own brand of football, we can beat anyone."
The 25-year-old winger, who's scored six goals in his last six Champions League knockout stage ties, continued: "I think that every player can improve something, and that includes me.
"I'm always trying to progress, to score more goals and to get more assists, but for me, football isn't just about goals and assists; the way in which you help your team is more important.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola for PSG
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Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola for PSG(Image: Getty Images)
"Sometimes, you can't score or get an assist, but you can give everything on the pitch to help your team to win. That's the most important thing for me. When I finish a game, I want to know that I gave 100 per cent to my team and that I helped it to win."
On the importance of putting the team ahead of individual glory, Kvaratskhelia added: "When I was starting out, I think I was more of an individual player than a team player, but I soon realised that you're nothing without your team.
"Not many players can win games on their own. I realised that when you have a good team where every player gives everything, the results follow."
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