UEFA Champions League · Player Focus · 2026

The Two Men Who Carried Paris.

Dembélé scored the goal that changed everything. Hakimi won the coin toss that decided where the shootout was taken. Two players, two moments — one trophy.

Mohamed Hamza · 4 min read

When the history of PSG's back-to-back European titles is written, two names will stand above the rest. Ousmane Dembélé — the Ballon d'Or winner who carries the weight of Paris on his shoulders every time he touches the ball. And Achraf Hakimi — the right back who is, quietly, one of the best players in the world at what he does.

Neither had an easy road to Budapest. Dembélé had been managing a calf injury in the final weeks of the season. Hakimi hadn't played since April 28 after injuring his thigh against Bayern Munich in the semifinals. Both declared themselves fit. Both delivered.

Ousmane Dembélé

Forward · France · Ballon d'Or 2024

He was quiet for 64 minutes. Almost invisible. Then came the penalty — and Dembélé sent David Raya the wrong way, leveling the match and changing the entire narrative of the final. It was his 20th goal of the season. For a player of his quality, that kind of composure under pressure is no surprise — but it never stops being spectacular.

What makes Dembélé truly special is not just his goal record. It is the way he manufactures moments out of nothing. PSG were struggling to break Arsenal down, the match drifting towards a Gunners victory — and then Kvaratskhelia was fouled in the box. One penalty. One chance. Dembélé did not blink.

Achraf Hakimi

Right back · Morocco · Captain

Hakimi won the coin toss before the shootout and chose to take the penalties in front of the PSG fans — a decision that sent the Parisian supporters wild and set the tone for what followed. Rated 8/10 on the night, he was arguably PSG's best outfield player: defensively solid, dangerous going forward, and a leader when it mattered most.

There is an argument to be made that Hakimi is the most complete right back in the world right now. He was selected by Morocco for the World Cup this very week — a reminder that even amid club glory, international duty calls. He is everywhere at once: tracking back, overlapping, organizing, leading.

Together, Dembélé and Hakimi represent everything Luis Enrique has built at PSG — a team without one single superstar ego, but with multiple players capable of being the hero on any given night. That is the secret of back-to-back champions.