With PSG’s shocking exit this season to 13 times UCL champions Real Madrid, it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Having got to the 2020 UCL final, the team certainly has what it takes to bring the most coveted trophy in European club football. However, there have been lacking moments that have proven costly.
This season the team had all it took to make it to the next round, but a complacent performance in the close minutes of the 2nd leg saw the exit of arguably the best attack in Europe. With that done, we look towards next season and how the team can win the trophy we’ve been waiting for all these years.
Undoubtedly, PSG is a strong team, and betting on them is natural; like betting on the best horses with the most acceptable Kentucky Derby odds, PSG is undoubtedly in for favorites next season. However, with Kylian Mbappe looking unlikely to stay another season, the team might have to look to others for strength and find the right balance to win the champions league.
In that case, here are five players that can prove pivotal to PSG winning the UCL title for next season.
Messi
Although he has sparked up Paris as expected after his move from the Catalan giants in the summer of 2021, Lionel Messi should not be written off just yet. Adjusting to a new city and playing pattern can be challenging even on the best player in the world, and given that he is currently 34, we might not get prime Messi at PSG.
However, there is still plenty of tricks under the sleeve of this old dog. We’ve seen glimpses of his brilliance, and if the team can get a tactical coach to build the team around him, there is a chance that he will deliver all that we’ve been expecting. So, we believe that Messi would make for a vital component of the team next season.
Neymar
The Brazilian has shown that he can be a force whenever he wants to be. We saw what he could do when he came on against Atalanta in the 2020 semi-finals to help the team secure a spot in the final. We also saw his brilliance in the 2020 UCL final, even though it wasn’t enough to see out Bayern Munich.
We believe he can regain that form and help the team secure their first champions league title. We also know that he has a long history with Messi, making it the perfect scenario for the team to exploit if they want to win the champions league anytime soon.
Hakimi
One of the best right-backs in Europe, Hakimi is a strong, fast, and composed player that can help teams to break down opponent’s attacks and transition to offensive play. We’ve seen him at Inter Milian, and he was able to help the team secure their first Scudetto in more than a decade.
Hakimi will play a pivotal role, especially in the attack, giving the team an extra man up front that can also cover a long distance quickly.
Ramos
Sergio Ramos shockingly left Real Madrid after service for more than 15 years. He has been a pivotal part of the team’s many Champions league moments, especially during the three-peat. The veteran defender is known for his aggressive defensive skills and ensuring that he can break down attacks easily.
He will undoubtedly help the team a lot next season, although we hope to see him stay fit so that he doesn’t have to sit on the sidelines for most of the matches.
Verrati
Marco Verrati is an Italian genius who is one of the best center midfielders in Europe. He can play in a lone pivot or double pivot, and he is good at breaking down attacks. His strength is undeniable, and his work rate is unrivaled. If he can stay fit or avoid unnecessary bookings, we believe that he will help the team win the UCL next season.
Final Thoughts
Although these five might be key players, others can also help pick up the team’s slack. For instance, Captain Marquinhos, Angel Di Maria, Presnel Kimpembe, Nuno Mendes, Paredes, and co, can always be called upon to win games and see it out. Next season’s UCL should undoubtedly be better than this one.
