PSG and Inter Milan Reach Surprise UCL Final

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PSG and Inter Milan Reach Surprise UCL Final/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ In a Champions League season full of upsets, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan have emerged as the unlikely finalists. Neither team was considered a favorite early on, but strong tactical performances propelled them past more fancied clubs. The final will be held on May 31 at Munich’s Allianz Arena.

PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring his sides second goal during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Champions League Final Quick Looks

Unexpected Finalists: No Real Madrid, Bayern, Man City, or Premier League clubs.
Final Match: May 31 at Allianz Arena in Munich.
First-Time Matchup: PSG and Inter have never met in the UCL before.
PSG’s Path: Knocked out Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Man City.
Inter’s Journey: Beat Bayern and Barcelona after a dominant league phase.
Massive Prize: Winner may earn over €150M in Champions League revenue.
More to Come: Both clubs will feature in the 2025 Club World Cup.
Ownership Contrast: PSG backed by Qatar; Inter under U.S. investment fund.
PSG’s New Era: Rebuilding without Mbappé, Messi, or Neymar.
Inter’s Resurgence: Strong under Inzaghi, aiming for first title since 2010.

Inter Milan’s head coach Simone Inzaghi, right, celebrates with Inter Milan’s Francesco Acerbi at the end of the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at San Siro stadium in Milan , Italy, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Deep Look: Champions League Final 2025 – PSG vs. Inter Milan

The 2025 UEFA Champions League final is shaping up to be one of the most unexpected in recent memory. Instead of the usual giants like Real Madrid, Manchester City, or Bayern Munich, it will be Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan who face off on May 31 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

This final wasn’t on many prediction sheets when the revamped 36-team Champions League format launched last September. PSG, entering a new era without Kylian Mbappé and past its “galácticos” phase, barely advanced past the league phase. Meanwhile, Inter Milan quietly went about their business, avoiding the spotlight while methodically carving their way through the knockout rounds.

PSG: Stylish Underdogs Turned Contenders

Despite a rocky start in the group stage, PSG closed strong, winning their last three matches to qualify. From there, they went on a Premier League takedown spree, eliminating Liverpool, Aston Villa, Arsenal, and crucially defeating Manchester City earlier in the campaign.

What’s more impressive? They did it without the superstar trio of Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé, relying instead on a younger, more balanced lineup led by rising stars like João Neves and Désiré Doué. It’s a symbolic shift for a club long defined by its marquee names and now looking to build something more sustainable.

This is PSG’s second Champions League final appearance, following their narrow 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in 2020.

Inter Milan: Built on Grit and Grit Alone

Inter Milan is no stranger to this stage, having won the European Cup three times (1964, 1965, 2010). But like PSG, they entered this year’s competition under the radar. They conceded only one goal in the league phase, secured knockout wins over Feyenoord, Bayern Munich, and then outlasted Barcelona in a dramatic semifinal.

Under Simone Inzaghi, Inter has become a tactically disciplined, emotionally resilient team that doesn’t rely on stars, but on systems.

They’re also navigating financial waters. The club was taken over in 2024 by U.S.-based Oaktree Capital after former owners Suning ran into debt trouble. Despite that, Inter are now in their second UCL final in three seasons, having lost to Man City in 2023.

Munich Awaits

The Allianz Arena in Munich is the stage for this year’s final—its second time hosting since Chelsea beat Bayern on penalties in 2012. The pre-match entertainment? Linkin Park, who are set to perform before kickoff.

The stadium will host two clubs with contrasting paths but similar ambitions: to lift Europe’s most coveted trophy and redefine their international legacies.

Big Money Stakes

This year’s Champions League purse is fatter than ever, thanks to the expanded format. Real Madrid made €139M ($154M) last year. The winner in 2025 is expected to clear €150M ($170M), with even more on the line this summer.

That’s because both PSG and Inter are heading to the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S., where the winner could bank over $100 million from a $1B prize pool.