Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly messaged Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi after their Champions League final victory over Arsenal
Ross Pilcher Digital Sports Journalist and Mark Wakefield Sport Central Audience Writer
17:27, 31 May 2026
Sir Alex Ferguson
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Sir Alex Ferguson(Image: PA)
Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was reportedly critical of Arsenal's performance in their Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
L'Equipe reports that the United legend sent a text message to PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi after his club's penalty shoot-out triumph over the Gunners in Budapest.
Kai Havertz's early opener was cancelled out by Ousmane Dembele's second-half spot-kick, with Eberechi Eze and Gabriel the two players to miss from 12 yards in the shoot-out as Mikel Arteta's side fell short of a winning a historic double.
Ferguson, who lifted the trophy twice with United, reached out to Al-Khelaifi to offer his congratulations, yet also delivered a withering assessment of Arsenal's performance in the final.
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Arteta's side managed less than 25 per cent of possession across 120 minutes, with their one goal representing their only shot on target throughout the contest.
Ferguson made no secret of his thoughts at what he witnessed from the Premier League champions.
His text reportedly read: “Nasser, this is Alex Ferguson. Well done, it was a tough night for you, but you played against a boring team that did nothing but defend. Enjoy your holidays, you deserve it.”
However, a report from talkSPORT journalist Ben Jacobs subsequently claimed that these were not Ferguson's exact words, with the former United boss apparently saying instead, “You were the team that played football”.
PSG's Joao Neves also took aim at Arsenal's approach in the aftermath of the Ligue 1 giants' victory.
He said: "The emotion is there. It's the second time I've been a European champion. It's not even the victory itself that pleases me, but playing with such teammates, this staff, and this management.
“Coming here was the best decision I've ever made. I love everything here. We deserved it today, because PSG were the only team that wanted to play."
Al-Khelaifi gave an honest verdict after watching PSG claim a victory over Arsenal at the Puskas Arena on Saturday night.
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"Today is an amazing history day," Al-Khelaifi told TNT Sports.
"Last year, back to back, it's not easy, the Champions League is difficult. So proud of the team, of the coach of the staff, of the fans.
"Everybody doubted us again, but thank god we made it and we believed."
He added: "Amazing. I told my guys after the first half, we are going to win. I promise you I felt it before the match, I know it was tough.
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“Bad luck to Arsenal, great team, fantastic team, all the best, big respect for them."
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