Luis Enrique eyes more Champions League crowns: 'I can do four' after PSG win

Paris Saint-Germain made history in Budapest as they defeated Arsenal on penalties to retain their UEFA Champions League crown. Luis Enrique’s side held their nerve in a tense final at the Pusks Arena to complete back-to-back European triumphs.

Only a select group of clubs have managed consecutive Champions League or European Cup wins, underlining the scale of PSG’s achievement on the continental stage.

Enrique now joins an elite list of managers with three Champions League titles, alongside Zinedine Zidane, Pep Guardiola and Bob Paisley, and sits only behind Carlo Ancelotti, who has five.

So when this stat was brought up on a post-match show on TNT Sports, Enrique was quick to respond with: “Only three? I Have to improve!”

This prompted Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, standing next to him, to ask whether he can level Caro Ancelotti’s record of five Champions League with this team.

“I can say four,” Enrique responded with a wide smile on his face, prompting Gerard and other panelists to break into a laugh.

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi praised the Spaniard’s influence and signalled confidence in keeping him at the club, with contract talks ongoing beyond his current deal, which runs until the end of next season.

"He's the best coach, I cannot answer the question but I'm really confident," Al-Khelaifi said. "It's all about the project and he is the best one for the project. He's very, very special, as a coach, human being, as a person, he is fantastic. He's the best coach in the world. He has done amazing with the team. With a young team, you know the story. I would also like to thank the players of PSG. This is also for them. They all gave to this project."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta also paid tribute after the final, acknowledging PSG’s dominance despite his side’s disappointment in missing out on European glory once again.

"I want to congratulate PSG, Luis (Enrique, the coach) in particular, because in my opinion they are the best in the world," Arteta told reporters in Budapest as quoted by Yahoo Sports..

ICONIC NIGHT IN BUDAPEST

Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their UEFA Champions League crown on Saturday night, May 30, defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw at the Pusks Arena. The French champions retained their place on European football's throne, while Arsenal were left to celebrate only their Premier League title, their dream of finally becoming champions of Europe delayed once again.

Kai Havertz's sixth-minute opener got the ball rolling in a tightly fought encounter, with Ousmane Dembele equalising from the penalty spot midway through the second half.

PSG were without Vitinha, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Dembele or captain Marquinhos for the shoot-out, yet misses from Eberechi Eze and then Gabriel ensured they became the first team since Real Madrid, between 2016 and 2018, to win successive European crowns.