“UEFA Champions League 2025: Final Results, Iconic Moments & Star Performers”
It’s the pinnacle of club football.
On Saturday night, Paris St-Germain and Inter Milan will square off for the Champions League title in Munich. In an expanded campaign that has produced shocks, drama, and lots of goals, 36 clubs from across Europe have been reduced to two after 188 games.
However, who prevails? In addition to choosing their finest players and moments, BBC Sport’s analysts from the Champions League Match of the Day and Euro Leagues have a voice in who will win the trophy.
Who will win the tournament?
Guillem Balague, a Spanish football expert: Paris St-Germain. At the moment, they appear to have more players playing at their best.
Julien Laurens, a France football expert: It’s difficult to decide, particularly for a PSG supporter. In important games, Inter’s vast expertise might make all the difference. PSG is what my heart wants, but it’s challenging because my head is more balanced.
Mina Rzouki, an Italian football expert: Luis Enrique is a man who truly knows how to win games like this, so I’m going with PSG.
Thomas Hitzlsperger, a former Germany midfielder and Champions League match of the day commentator: It’s difficult because I think Inter deserves to be here and I have a lot of respect for them for making it to the final.
However, I’ve seen more of Paris St-Germain, and their style of play has really pleased me.
They are the team I believe will win, but everything is possible since I have also been impressed with Inter, particularly in the quarterfinals against Bayern Munich, with their ability to play excellent defense and endure long stretches of suffering before attacking at the perfect times.
However, given their Champions League season and general performance, I believe PSG will win it all.
Player of the tournament?
Balague: Just, Ousmane Dembele. His development and the leap the Paris St-Germain forward has made this season have been fantastic to watch.
Laurens: Ousmane Dembele is my choice, but there are other candidates, like Raphinha. It appeared as though he might be benched, but he has made a remarkable comeback this season.
He is a terrific character to have in the dressing room because of everything he has done and how he changed how we all saw him. He used to sleep and wake up late after playing on his PlayStation till three in the morning. People didn’t like that I was late for the training. With his attributes, he was able to advance to a higher level without the discipline that professional players require.
He eventually arrived at the age of 27. He married and lived a very disciplined life. And Luis Enrique has been instrumental in helping him realize that he must be the leader and that leaders act in a particular way both on and off the field.
In 1073 minutes of Champions League action this season, Dembele has scored eight goals—five with his right foot and three with his left—and provided four assists.
Rzouki: Difficult: PSG goalie Gianluigi Donnarumma deserves recognition, but Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele deserve special attention.
Only Yann Sommer of Inter (seven) and David Raya of Arsenal (six) have maintained more clean sheets in this season’s tournament than the Paris St-Germain goalkeeper, who has produced several pivotal saves throughout the French team’s drive to the final.
Hitzlsperger: Usually, you would choose one of the finalists, but Raphinha was outstanding for Barcelona, so I go with him.
I’ve been really impressed with Achraf Hakimi, so if it must be a PSG player, I like him.
Although it is challenging, I would most likely choose Raphinha because, in addition to his record-breaking assists for Barcelona, he has generally impressed me when I have seen him.
Champions League Match of the Day analyst Nicky Bandini: From that Barcelona team, it is one of two. Although everyone wants Yamal to win, sometimes statistics play a role, and Raphinha’s numbers in this event are ridiculous.
top assist giver and joint top scorer. Even in that absurd semifinal matchup with Inter, when we’re all giddy with Yamal’s exploits, Raphinha scored once more.
Raphinha had an incredible season, scoring 13 goals and dishing up nine assists in 14 games, even though Barcelona lost to Inter Milan in the semi-finals.
Moment of the tournament?
Balague: I would point to Lamine Yamal’s actions during the first forty-five minutes of Barcelona vs. Inter Milan’s semi-final at Montjuic. Following a 2-0 deficit, Yamal’s outstanding first-half performance spurred Barca to victory. Although it wasn’t sufficient in the end, the display will be remembered for a long time.
Laurens: Most likely Lamine Yamal’s performance during the first half of the first leg of the semi-final matchup with Inter. We had the impression that we were seeing a miracle.
Rzouki: It’s difficult, but I’ll pick Inter Milan’s goal against Barcelona in their semi-final, scored by Francesco Acerbi.
Do you mind if I mention Jhon Duran’s goal against Bayern Munich as an Aston Villa supporter? That brings back some wonderful memories of Villa’s Champions League run, which was a unique occasion for all Villa supporters.
