Fan reactions pour le PSG after second straight Champions League title against Arsenal

João Neves, Willian Pacho and Marquinhos received the highest ratings from fans after the final

Following PSG’s second consecutive Champions League victory in Budapest against Arsenal (1-1, 4-3 on penalties), over 15,000 online voters assessed player performances. Public ratings proved more generous than those awarded by professional journalists.

The nail-biting final saw Luis Enrique‘s side claim glory, with the Spanish manager earning a 7.6 average from fans—significantly higher than the 6 awarded by the editorial team. This marks his third Champions League triumph as a coach.

Midfielder João Neves stole the show after Arsenal’s equalizer, dominating duels until the final whistle to secure the top fan rating (7.2). The editorial team agreed, also awarding him a 7. Marquinhos (6.6) and Willian Pacho (6.6) completed the Parisian podium. The Brazilian captain matched the press’s rating with a 7, while Pacho received a 6 from journalists.

Defensive duo Achraf Hakimi (6.2) and Nuno Mendes (6.0) were also praised by voters, though Mendes’ 4 from journalists reflected his missed penalty in the shootout. Goalkeeper Matveï Safonov earned a 6.2 from fans despite limited action, outperforming the 5 given by reporters.

Lowest-rated Parisian performer: Fabian Ruiz

Offensively, only Fabian Ruiz (5.8) fell below the 6.0 mark, likely penalized for an error-prone start with multiple turnovers. Midfielder Vitinha—substituted due to cramps—scored a strong 6.4 from fans, far exceeding the 5 given by journalists. Meanwhile, Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé (both 6.1), and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (6.2) received higher marks from voters than the press, with Kvaratskhelia earning particular praise for his role in the equalizing penalty.

Arsenal’s mixed fan reactions

Public ratings align closely with editorial scores

Fans rated Arsenal’s overall team performance at 4.9, just shy of the 5.0 given by journalists. Mosquera and Trossard both earned 4.4 from fans (vs. 3 from journalists), while Martin Odegaard received 4.6 (vs. 4). Standout performers included goalkeeper David Raya (6.1), defender William Saliba (5.9), and forward Kai Havertz (5.8)—the Gunners’ sole scorer—who all matched the journalists’ 6.0 rating. Conversely, Jurrien Timber (4.6), Viktor Gyökeres (4.2), Bukayo Saka (4.5), and midfielder Declan Rice (5.3) faced harsher judgments. Manager Mikel Arteta received the lowest rating of the London side with a 4.1 from fans (vs. 4 from the press).