Paris Saint‑Germain captured their first Champions League title in 2025, with Ousmane Dembélé scoring the opener and earning the tournament’s Best Player award. The victory helped French clubs collect a record €334 million in prize money, reshaping Europe’s financial landscape ahead of the 2025‑26 season.
Dembélé’s Impact and PSG’s Triumph
Season‑long Performance
Since joining PSG on a free transfer in 2023, Dembélé has become the team’s offensive fulcrum. In the 2024‑25 campaign he recorded 19 goals and 12 assists across 52 matches, delivering decisive moments in the Champions League knockout phase.
Final Victory Details
The final at Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium saw Dembélé open the scoring after a swift counter‑attack. A second‑half penalty by Kylian Mbappé secured a 2‑0 win over Bayern Munich, delivering PSG’s maiden European crown and cementing Dembélé’s status as the tournament’s standout performer.
French Clubs’ €334 Million Prize Money Windfall
The four French representatives amassed a combined €334 million, a record for any nation outside the traditional “Big‑Five.”
- PSG – €120 million (champions bonus, market‑value share)
- Olympique Marseille – €68 million (quarter‑final finish)
- Lille OSC – €52 million (group‑stage runners‑up)
- AS Monaco – €44 million (round of 16 exit)
These earnings are expected to fuel academy development, stadium upgrades and strategic signings, strengthening Ligue 1’s competitiveness.
2025‑26 Champions League Group Stage Overview
Key Entrants
- Manchester City – defending champions
- Real Madrid – record title holders
- Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Barcelona, Juventus – seeking rebounds
- PSG – defending French champions
Notable Newcomers
- Club Brugge – first group‑stage appearance since 2015
- Celtic FC – back after a three‑year hiatus
- RB Leipzig – returning after five years
French Representation and Transfers
- PSG – signed midfielder Casemiro on a free transfer
- Marseille – added winger Steven Berghuis
- Lille – brought in striker Romelu Lukaku on loan
- Monaco – purchased defender Jules Koundé
Players to Watch Beyond Dembélé
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – box‑to‑box midfield dynamo
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – prolific goal scorer
- Kylian Mbappé (PSG) – speed and finishing threat
- Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich) – defensive anchor
How French Fans Can Watch the Games
- TF1 – group‑stage openings on Tuesdays, 21:00 CET
- Canal+ Sport – all Thursday fixtures, including high‑profile clashes
- M6 – free‑to‑air weekly highlights
- Champions League app – live streaming with multi‑language commentary
Implications for European Football
The combination of on‑field success, unprecedented prize money and strategic signings signals a potential shift in Europe’s power balance. French clubs now possess the resources to challenge the traditional elite, while PSG’s title defence will test whether Dembélé’s brilliance can be replicated without the element of surprise. The 2025‑26 Champions League promises heightened drama, talent and financial stakes, with French teams poised to play a central role.
