Champions League Final 2025: Legends Makelele, Roberto Carlos, Luis Figo, and Shevchenko Share Their Insights on PSG vs Inter Milan
As the highly anticipated UEFA Champions League Final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan approaches, football legends Claude Makelele, Roberto Carlos, Luis Figo, and Andriy Shevchenko have shared their perspectives on the upcoming clash. Their insights provide a rich tapestry of expectations and analyses ahead of this monumental encounter.
Claude Makelele: PSG's Evolution and the Challenge Ahead
Former PSG midfielder Claude Makelele emphasized the significance of the club's journey and the impact of a potential victory:
"Finally! They’d finally win because they’ve been trying for this trophy since the beginning of this project. They’ve made mistakes, because in football you need to make mistakes to progress. And they’ve realised and corrected different mistakes, and they’ve started to build in a different way. They’ve lost one final and now they’ve come back. And it will be good for the club, for the country and for the fans, because they play good football."
He also highlighted the broader implications for French football:
"PSG are a symbol of French football. Before, it was Marseille, maybe a different team. Now it’s PSG, because the brand is so strong. We talk about this brand around the world, the shirt, the Jordan shirt, everything like this. It’s amazing. The publicity, the players, a lot of players coming with history – (Lionel) Messi, (Kylian) Mbappe, Neymar. We talk about different things now, they deserve a big trophy for the platform. And this trophy will help them for the future."
Regarding the match itself, Makelele acknowledged Inter's experience:
"No single player will win it. If it’s on penalties, 1-0 and we park the bus there, but I don’t think the manager will change the strategy. Of course, he’ll approach it in a different way because it’s a final, but he will make this team ready for a fight. Because Inter are a good team. They’re a team with experience and many players who have played two finals already, they know exactly how to manage this kind of game. It’s not an easy final and let’s see, but I think Inter have a little advantage because the experience is there. But Paris Saint-Germain have a manager with all this experience, he knows exactly how to manage these young players and I hope Paris Saint-Germain win the trophy."
Roberto Carlos: A Nod to Inter's Legacy
Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos, who began his European career with Inter Milan, shared his sentiments:
"It's a different final; we're used to seeing Madrid here. So, may the best team win. I had a good time at Inter. It was the club that first bet on me. Inzaghi was a very good player and as a coach, he's winning many titles. We also know Luis Enrique well. I wish both of them luck."
His reflections underscore the deep connections and respect he holds for both clubs and their managers.
Luís Figo: PSG's Consistency and Inter's Strength
Portuguese icon Luís Figo offered his analysis, recognizing PSG's form while cautioning against underestimating Inter:
"In my view, Paris Saint-Germain. They have a good consistency of results and excellent physical fitness at the moment. It's difficult to say for certain; I don't feel that I can make a really strong prediction on who will win the Champions League."
He further elaborated on Inter's capabilities:
"Anyone who thinks that Inter are only about defending is making a big mistake. It's true Simone Inzaghi's side are solid in defence and conceded very few Champions League goals, but they also have players capable of making the difference. You need to analyse it more carefully, not just limit yourself to saying they are just a defensive team. Inter could win the Treble this season."
Andriy Shevchenko: Anticipating a Balanced Battle
Ukrainian football legend Andriy Shevchenko shared his expectations for a closely contested final:
"I expect a very exciting match. Both PSG and Inter play high-quality football, albeit in significantly different styles. Over the last five years, both teams have demonstrated remarkable consistency. I believe the Champions League final will showcase some captivating football. In such matches, it's tough to make predictions because PSG and Inter are relatively equal opponents. Therefore, I can't say who will come out on top."
Shevchenko's insights highlight the anticipation of a thrilling encounter between two well-matched teams.
As the Champions League Final approaches, the perspectives of these football legends add depth to the narrative, reflecting on the evolution, strengths, and potential of both Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan. Their analyses set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable showdown in Munich.
Published by Patrick Jane
30.05.2025