PSG/Arsenal – Marquinhos showered with tributes! | OneFootball

Just hours before PSG/Arsenal, the Champions League final, Marquinhos, 32, Paris Saint-Germain’s central defender, is receiving a massive tribute from several former teammates. In a feature published by Le Parisien, Javier Pastore, Lucas Moura, David Luiz, and Julian Draxler paint the portrait of a captain who has become far more than just a survivor of the Qatari era.

Pastore: “For history”

Javier Pastore focuses above all on the journey. Marquinhos is no longer just the young defender who arrived in Paris to learn in the shadow of the senior figures. Over time, he has become one of the strongest faces of the Paris project. In his tribute, the Argentine highlights the calm, humility, and work ethic of a player who has lived through every cycle without ever losing his place in the club’s identity.

This perspective matters, because Pastore witnessed the beginning of Paris Saint-Germain’s modern era. His message places Marquinhos in a broader continuity: that of a player who has not just piled up seasons, but has accompanied the club’s transformation all the way to its European peak.

Lucas: “My brother”

With Lucas Moura, the tribute is more emotional. The former Paris player speaks about Marquinhos with obvious closeness, that of someone who shared the Brazilian’s first years in the capital. It is not just about saluting a list of honors or remarkable longevity, but about recognizing the path of a man he saw grow in a demanding environment.

This statement also recalls what Marquinhos represents for part of PSG’s recent history: a link between several generations, between the first big names of the Qatari project and the more collective team now built by Luis Enrique.

David Luiz: “Crazy humility”

David Luiz emphasizes what perhaps best explains Marquinhos’ longevity: his ability to remain in a learning mindset. For the former Paris defender, that humility is not a minor personality trait, but one of the driving forces behind his development. Marquinhos grew because he listened, worked, and accepted building himself step by step.

That is also what gives weight to his armband. A captain is not just the one who speaks the loudest or takes center stage. In Marquinhos’ case, leadership has established itself through example, consistency, and a kind of daily seriousness that perfectly matches today’s PSG.

Draxler: “Big heart”

Julian Draxler completes this portrait by speaking about both the player and the man. He remembers a reliable, elegant defender, but also a personality appreciated in the dressing room. This kind of testimony is important, because it takes Marquinhos beyond the purely sporting debate, often reduced to his performances in big matches or his past mistakes.

With these words, the image of a Paris legend still active begins to take shape. Marquinhos did not wait until leaving the club to enter its history. Ahead of PSG/Arsenal, this collective tribute above all reminds us of one thing: the Paris captain has already left his mark on Paris Saint-Germain, whatever the result of the final.

Now all that remains is to turn that legacy into a new European chapter. And for Marquinhos, lifting the Champions League again with Paris would be more than just another trophy: it would be a way of definitively securing his place among the club’s all-time greats.

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