Two broad conclusions frame the start of a new chapter for Paris Saint-Germain. This season began with a strong showing from Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe, who carried the team early on. After a disappointing European exit at the hands of Real Madrid in the round of 16, PSG regrouped and reenergized their fan base by clinching the French Super Cup with a 4-0 victory over Nantes and opening Ligue 1 with a decisive 5-0 win over Clermont Foot.
Despite facing two modest league rivals who finished ninth and seventeenth in the previous campaign, PSG rediscovered anticipation around their squad. Fans hope this year will see the club move beyond a star-driven, erratic style toward consistent, high-level performances. The season’s notable change is the arrival of a new coach, Christophe Galtier, who brings a different approach to the team.
A more earthy summer market
PSG approached the transfer market with a steady hand. Unlike some summers, the club’s signings were more about strengthening the bench and the front office than splashy acquisitions. The biggest change came off the pitch, with Christophe Galtier taking charge and Luis Campos, the Portuguese technical director, guiding the club’s long-term recruitment strategy. Campos, known for his work at Monaco and Lille, plus his advisory role at Celta, redirected PSG’s policy toward nurturing young talents. Promising players like Vitinha (22), Renato Sanches (24), Achraf Hakimi (24), and Hugo Ekitike (20) reflected this shift toward balance and future potential.
Yet the Qatar-backed club did not lock in every major move. Reports from L’Équipe suggested a potential addition in midfield in the coming days, with Fabian Ruiz among the targets and a rumored €70 million price tag for Slovak defender Milan Škriniar from Inter Milan. There was also chatter about Bernardo Silva, though French outlets indicated the Portuguese playmaker might favor a move to Barcelona.
Galtier’s tactical revolution
Early fixtures renewed Paris’ hope rather than dampening it. Galtier may not be as widely recognized across Europe as Tuchel or Pochettino, but his reputation in France is solid. He led Lille to Ligue 1 glory in 2021 and enjoyed a successful spell with Nice previously. Beyond a broader emphasis on physical conditioning and disciplined preparation, his arrival signaled a tactical shift: Paris shifted from a 4-3-3 to a 3-4-1-2 formation, with two wide lanes and a single offensive pivot behind two strikers.
This setup produced a more balanced PSG: sturdier defensively, better structured in pressing, and more dynamic in transition. The star attackers were no longer isolated; Messi operated as a roaming playmaker behind two forwards, a role that reportedly thrilled the Argentine based on conversations with people close to the squad. A standout slalom in the Super Cup and a notable bicycle kick in the league opener highlighted Messi’s rejuvenated form.
A moment captured: Messi’s resurgence in Paris, a year into his stay, sparked optimism in the fanbase.
The importance of Ramos
Two players who drew the most ire from PSG supporters the previous season nonetheless delivered strong performances: Sergio Ramos and Neymar. Ramos stood out in the three-man defense with Marquinhos and Kimpembe, while Neymar hinted at his best form, perhaps motivated by rumors about his future ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. Early wins in Ligue 1 reinforced the sense of a fresh start for the club.
The opening league clash showcased the trio of Messi, Neymar, and Ramos seizing the spotlight, while Mbappé missed the game due to injury. The Bondy native’s return to fitness has solidified PSG’s status as a formidable force in French football and a perennial challenger for Europe’s top prize.
The season’s early momentum suggested PSG could restore its status as a European powerhouse, with a clear plan, a strengthened academy-inspired recruitment approach, and a tactical framework designed to maximize the talents of its marquee players. The journey ahead would test whether the squad could translate potential into sustained success in domestic and continental competitions.