Frank Christian
On May 31, PSG celebrated their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, achieving an impressive 5-0 triumph over Inter Milan and securing a historic treble under coach Luis Enrique.
Achraf Hakimi kicked off the scoring early, while 19-year-old Desire Doue dazzled the audience with two goals and an assist.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Senny Mayulu further compounded Inter’s difficulties, leading to the most significant defeat in Champions League final history for the Italian side.
As the celebrations waned, Lucas Hernandez of PSG chose to support his friend Benjamin Pavard, a former teammate at Bayern Munich and current player for Inter Milan, who faced a heartbreaking loss.
“This morning [June 1], I had a conversation with Benjamin Pavard, and I want to share a few thoughts about him,” Hernandez told L’Equipe.
“He’s my closest friend in football. I admire his determination to recover from his ankle injury and participate in this final.”
Pavard, who won the World Cup in 2018, had a challenging year in 2025 due to injuries, first suffering a hamstring issue (November 2025 – January 2025), then an ankle sprain in April, followed by being sidelined with muscle fatigue just before the final.
“I can imagine how difficult it must be to face the disappointment of losing a final,” Hernandez remarked. “However, I want to commend him for his efforts; I’m quite proud of what he accomplished. It’s essential for me to express that.”
Hernandez and Pavard formed a formidable defensive partnership at Bayern Munich from 2019 to 2023, including a Champions League victory in 2020.
After Hernandez’s transfer to PSG in July 2023, Pavard moved to Inter the following month.
“I’m eager to see him return to the national team,” he continued, anticipating their reunion at Clairefontaine as they prepare for the Nations League semifinal against Spain.
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