May 30, 2026
By Douglas Baye-Osagie
The curtain closes on the 2025/2026 European club football season tonight. The champions of England, Arsenal, face the champions of France, Paris Saint-Germain. This is a final, and anything can happen. One moment of brilliance, one defensive lapse, one refereeing decision can change everything. Form goes out the window when the whistle blows in Budapest.
A lot has been said coming into the final, but one player who has dominated the headlines is the crown prince of football, the Ballon d’Or holder, Ousmane Dembélé. Under Luis Enrique, he finally combined flair with discipline and became PSG’s most decisive attacker.
The 2025-26 campaign has been different. Injuries and careful management have limited his minutes. He played just 22 league games, started only 11, and scored 10 league goals. He was substituted 11 times. Luis Enrique has used him more sparingly, prioritizing preservation over burnout.
