Marquinhos on Dembélé, progress, Luis Enrique and Champions League | OneFootball

The year 2025 was exceptional for Paris Saint-Germain, notably winning the Champions League last May. Present at the club since 2013, Marquinhos, a 31-year-old defender and captain, has experienced everything under the Parisian colors. Speaking to RTL, he reflected on this final against Inter Milan, won 5-0, which allowed PSG to definitively mark its history, as well as on the challenge ahead, the contribution of coach Luis Enrique, and the rise of Ousmane Dembélé (a 28-year-old forward).

Marquinhos: "It's very hard to win, but continuing to win is even harder"

We talked about success in January 2025, does Ousmane Dembélé represent this transformation, and did his performances up to the Ballon d'Or surprise you?

"We knew he was a player of great talent. But it's true that from January until the final, he had an incredible journey. It's very important to have a player of this level in a team."

You have been with the club since 2013, what is your role today in the club? Do you have a role in passing on knowledge?

"Always. No one ever told me to do it, but I think that, just as they did for me, I must also pass on these things, these values of the club to the newcomers or the young players. Having this role is important for a captain."

What has this year changed for PSG in the eyes of other clubs?

"I think there is more respect for being a champion, yes. But everything moves very quickly in football. We must maintain the high standards, even if we have been champions, we are now in a new year. All teams want to win against us. It's very hard to win, but continuing to win is even harder. We want to keep making history."

Marquinhos: "He also knew how to prepare us for everything that could happen in a match"

What has Luis Enrique brought to lead you to success?

"He knew how to work on all fronts. It's not just about the midfield, it's not just about the ball. High-level football is also about mentality, recovery, and high standards. He knew how to work on all those aspects. He also knew how to prepare us for everything that could happen in a match, with or without the ball."

Do you plan to apply for French nationality?

"We are working on it with my wife. To symbolize everything that Paris and France have brought me."

Marquinhos: "We prepared very well for this final and the match turned in our favor."

Were you afraid you would never touch this Champions League?

"Yes, that's why I appreciate it even more. The journey was very long and difficult, but during this period we saw the mistakes and the things that needed to change. It was a goal, not an obsession. The club worked for it without putting extra pressure on the players."

What feelings did you experience during this final?

"The whole journey showed us that we had to keep our focus until the end. Then I hear our supporters shouting 'we are champions' and it was hard to control my emotions at that moment. We prepared very well for this final and the match turned in our favor. We followed the coach's plan and everything worked out perfectly."

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.