It has been the most sensational summer for Paris St. Germain, with the signing of the great Lionel Messi being the icing on the cake.
PSG have been knocking hard on the doors of the UEFA Champions League in the last couple of seasons, but the French giants have so far been unable to find a way through.
Les Parisiens were beaten finalists in 2019, losing to Bayern Munich, before falling to Manchester City over two legs in the 2020 semi-finals.
Apart from the disappointment of not winning the Champions League last season, PSG also suffered the ignominy of losing the Ligue Un title to Lille.
It is fair to say that the capital club were deeply hurt by the disappointment of last season, and have attacked the summer transfer window with a vengeance.
They have not been reckless with their spending- far from it- but have instead been smart and calculated, and lucky.
Messi’s signing will obviously be the highlight of their summer, but PSG have brought in great quality all over the park without breaking the bank.
Legendary Spanish defender, Sergio Ramos arrived on a free, Italian stopper and Euro 2020 Player of the Tournament, Gianluigi Donnarumma also joined for free; and so did Giorgino Wijnaldum from Liverpool.
Talk about bringing in three high quality signings without spending a dime.
Beyond the quality these players bring to the table, they are also proper winners. Messi’s trophy-haul is out of this world, Ramos has won it all, from the World Cup to the Euros to multiple La Liga and Champions League titles; Donnarumma is a reigning European champion with Italy, while Wijnaldum won the Premier League and the Champions League in his time at Liverpool.
They did spend 60 million pounds on Achraf Hakimi, but that in itself is a quality piece of business. Hakimi, a Serie A Champion with Inter Milan, last season, instantly solves PSG’s problems in the right side of their defence.
Unsurprisingly they are already odds on favourites to regain the league title from Lille, while many betting sites are also backing the French giants to finally break their Champions League hoodoo. Champions League betting is available on top bookmakers like 1xBet.
There’s hardly a weakness in that PSG line up, and with Messi joining forces with old pal Neymar and heir apparent, Mbappe, they possess the most fearsome strike force in all of Europe.
They will be very hard to stop.
PSG have often flattered to deceive in Europe, but this could be the campaign when they finally get over the line.
Their biggest competition will likely come from England once again.
Like PSG, reigning English champions, Manchester City are also desperate to get their hands on a maiden Champions League title.
Spurred on by the disappointment of losing last year’s final, Pep Guardiola’s men will be throwing everything at the big European trophy. Champions, Chelsea will not let go of the trophy without a big fight, while Spanish giants, Real Madrid and Barcelona will be keen to re-assert their presence in the competition after both sides endured underwhelming campaigns last season.
If PSG are going to break their Champions League jinx, they will have to do it the hard way. But with the business they have done so far, they have the quality to go all the way.
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