50 Facts About PSG

The Birth and Early Years of PSG

Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, commonly known as PSG, has a fascinating history that began in the early 1970s. Let's dive into the origins and early struggles of this iconic club.

1. Founding and Merger: PSG was formed on August 12, 1970, through the merger of amateur side Stade Saint-Germain and Paris FC, a club that barely existed at the time without a manager or a stadium. Businessmen Guy Crescent, Pierre-Étienne Guyot, and Henri Patrelle were instrumental in this merger.

2. Initial Struggles: Despite its initial ambitions, PSG faced significant opposition from other clubs. However, the club quickly claimed the Ligue 2 title in its first season and launched itself into Ligue 1.

3. Name Change Controversy: The city of Paris threatened to remove its financial support unless the club changed its name to Paris Football Club, permanently stripping it of its Saint-Germain-en-Laye roots. Henri Patrelle, the former Stade Saint-Germain president and then PSG vice president, was furious and staunchly refused.

4. Split and Rebirth: In May 1972, the club was split in two again. Businessman Guy Crescent left with Paris FC, which retained its position in Ligue 1. Patrelle took Paris Saint-Germain, now having lost all of its star players and been relegated to the third division. Starting anew with a fresh line-up of young but talented players, PSG accelerated through the third division and narrowly made it to the top spot.

5. Fan Ownership: For its first three years, Paris Saint-Germain was fan-owned, embracing a unique form of ownership that was rare in professional football at the time.

Challenges and Controversies

PSG's journey to the top was not without its challenges. From hooliganism to financial struggles, the club faced numerous obstacles.

6. Hooliganism and Violence: British hooliganism had started to permeate French football, and the club’s rivalry with Olympique de Marseille (OM) began to degrade into violence. Canal+ agreed with OM owner Bernard Tapie to fuel the fire of animosity between the clubs to get more viewers. Football matches were marked by violence, racism, insults, and anti-Semitism. Two Parisian fans, Julien Quemener and Yann Lorence, died in clashes outside matches in 2006 and 2010, respectively.

7. Financial Struggles: The club’s star started to wane again, and it slipped down the league tables. Debt was accumulating. It seemed inevitable that Canal+ would let the club go. After a period when the club was owned by a pension fund, the next acquisition came from an unlikely source: Qatar.

The Qatari Takeover and Financial Power

The Qatari takeover marked a new era for PSG, transforming it into one of the wealthiest clubs in the world.

8. Qatari Takeover: In June 2011, the ruler of Qatar bought a 70 percent stake in the club’s shares. Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani became a majority shareholder through the state-owned organization Qatar Sports Investments (QSI). By 2012, QSI bought up the remaining 30 percent stake, instantly turning PSG into one of the wealthiest clubs in the world.

9. Financial Power: The money was immediately funneled into turning around the club’s fortunes. PSG has now become synonymous with lavish spending and high-profile signings, taking on Zlatan Ibrahimović and Thiago Silva in 2012 and David Beckham and Edinson Cavani the year after.

10. Record Transfers: In 2017, the Qatari owners opened their wallets once again to transfer Brazilian footballer Neymar from Barcelona in the most expensive transfer ever at €222 million. The same year the club signed the 18-year-old Kylian Mbappé in the most expensive deal for a teenage player ever at a rumored €145 million.

11. Revenue and Valuation: PSG’s financial power has allowed them to dominate French football, winning multiple Ligue 1 titles. The club’s revenue has skyrocketed, making them one of the most valuable football brands globally. According to Forbes, PSG is the world’s seventh-most valuable football club, worth $4.21 billion.

Home Ground and Fan Culture

PSG's home ground and fan culture are integral parts of the club's identity.

12. Home Ground: PSG’s home ground is the Parc des Princes, located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris near the Boulogne-Billancourt commune. The club has played in five main stadiums since its inception: the Stade Jean-Bouin, the Stade Georges Lefèvre, the Stade Bauer, the Stade Yves-du-Manoir, and the Parc des Princes.

13. Stadium History: PSG took on Ligue 2 promotion rivals Red Star on November 10, 1973, for the club’s first match at the Parc des Princes. It was the curtain-raiser for a new era in PSG’s history.

14. Nicknames and Colors: PSG is nicknamed "Les Parisiens" (The Parisians) and "Les Rouge-et-Bleu" (The Red and Blues). The club has traditionally worn kits in blue, red, and white, which were designed by fashion designer and former president Daniel Hechter.

15. Logo Evolution: PSG have switched their logo six times since their inception. The current logo is a fleur-de-lys, which is a nod to the club’s Saint-Germain-en-Laye roots.

Managerial History and European Success

PSG's managerial history and European achievements have shaped the club's legacy.

16. Managerial History: PSG’s longest-serving manager is Luis Fernandez, who managed the club for 244 games. The club has had several notable managers, including Carlo Ancelotti, who brought the Ligue 1 title back to Paris in 2012-13 after a 19-year drought.

17. European Success: PSG are one of only two French teams to win a European competition, having won the Intercontinental Cup in 2001 and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1996.

18. Champions League Run: The furthest PSG have gone in the Champions League was in 2020, where they reached the final but lost to Bayern Munich.

Domestic Dominance and Rivalries

PSG's domestic success and intense rivalries have defined their journey in French football.

19. Domestic Success: PSG have won Ligue 1 a record 11 times and have been runners-up nine times. They won the 2015-16 campaign 31 points clear of the second-best team, setting a French record.

20. Domestic Quadruple: PSG are the only French team to have won a domestic quadruple twice. They have achieved this feat in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.

21. Rivalries: PSG’s biggest rival is Olympique de Marseille, with whom they contest the famous "Le Classique" matches. PSG have won 50 out of 60 games played against Marseille.

Ownership Structure and Financial Fair Play

Understanding PSG's ownership structure and financial challenges provides insight into the club's operations.

22. Ownership Structure: PSG is currently owned by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), which holds 87.5% of the shares. Arctos Partners owns the remaining 12.5%. The Qatari government has significant influence over the club, with Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani having the final word on major decisions.

23. Financial Fair Play Issues: PSG has faced issues with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations due to their massive expenditures on player transfers. Despite this, the club continues to spend heavily, aiming to win the UEFA Champions League.

Star Players and Iconic Matches

PSG has been home to some of the greatest football talents and memorable matches.

24. Star Players: PSG has been home to some of the greatest football talents. George Weah, who played for PSG from 1992 to 1995, won the Ballon d’Or in 1995. Zlatan Ibrahimović scored 156 goals in 180 appearances for PSG between 2012 and 2016. Neymar Jr. became the world’s most expensive player when he transferred to PSG from Barcelona for €222 million in 2017. Kylian Mbappé, one of the brightest young talents in football, joined PSG in 2017 and has since become a key player.

25. Iconic Matches: PSG’s 6-1 victory over Barcelona in the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 is one of their most iconic matches. The club has a fierce rivalry with AS Monaco, another top team in French football.

Global Influence and Community Initiatives

PSG's influence extends beyond the football pitch, impacting global fans and local communities.

26. Global Influence: PSG’s influence extends beyond the football pitch. The club has a massive global fan base, with millions of followers on social media platforms. PSG has partnered with major brands like Nike, Jordan, and Accor to expand its global reach. The club’s foundation, Paris Saint-Germain Foundation, focuses on social and community initiatives.

27. Records and Achievements: PSG holds the record for the most consecutive Ligue 1 titles won by a team. They have also won the French Cup a record 14 times. The club reached their first UEFA Champions League final in 2020, although they lost to Bayern Munich.

28. Design Inspiration: PSG took inspiration from Ajax for their home jersey. Famous designer and former club president Daniel Hechter designed PSG’s classic home kit back in 1974. Hechter, who was enamored by Johan Cruyff’s all-conquering Ajax side, placed a large red stripe down the middle of the jersey. Combined with blue, the vertical red stripe represented Paris’ traditional colors. Hechter also used white to show PSG’s connection with Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the birthplace of French king Louis XIV.

29. Ballon d’Or Winner: PSG have only had one Ballon d’Or winner in history: George Weah, who played for PSG from 1992 to 1995. Weah led the club to the Ligue 1 title in 1993-94, the Coupe de France in 1992-93 and 1994-95, and the Coupe de la Ligue in 1994-95. He also guided PSG to the UEFA Champions League semi-final in 1994-95, pitching in with seven goals. After finishing as the top scorer in the Champions League that season and winning two trophies with PSG, Weah was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1995.

Recent Dominance and Ownership Changes

PSG's recent dominance and changes in ownership have shaped the club's modern era.

30. Recent Dominance: PSG have bagged seven Ligue 1 titles in their last nine seasons. Only Monaco (2016-17) and last season’s champions Lille have bested them in the said period, convincingly proving the Parisians' dominance in the league. Before Qatar Sports Investments took over, PSG had only won two Ligue 1 titles since 1993.

31. Ownership Changes: PSG were initially fan-owned and had 20,000 members. The club was run by board members Guy Crescent, Pierre-Étienne Guyot, and Henri Patrelle. A group of wealthy French businessmen, led by Daniel Hechter and Francis Borelli, bought the club in 1973. PSG changed hands in 1991 when Canal+ took over, and then again in 2006 with the arrival of Colony Capital. Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) acquired a majority stake in 2011, making PSG one of the wealthiest clubs in the world.

32. President and Chairman: Nasser Al-Khelaifi has been PSG president since the takeover by QSI. However, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, has the final word on every major decision of the club. He is both the chairman of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and the founder of QSI.

33. Financial Expenditures: PSG have spent over €1.9 billion on player transfers since the summer of 2011. These massive expenditures have translated into PSG’s domination of French football but have not yet brought home the coveted UEFA Champions League trophy.

Champions League Aspirations and Domestic Trophies

PSG's aspirations in the Champions League and their domestic trophy haul highlight their ambitions.

34. Champions League Final: PSG reached their first UEFA Champions League final in 2020 but lost to Bayern Munich. Despite this, the club continues to aim for European success with their high-profile signings and lavish spending.

35. Ligue 1 Titles: PSG have won Ligue 1 a record 11 times. Their most recent title was in the 2021-22 season, cementing their status as one of the most successful teams in French football history.

36. Coupe de France: PSG have won the Coupe de France a record 14 times. Their most recent victory was in 2020, adding to their impressive collection of domestic trophies.

37. Coupe de la Ligue: PSG have won the Coupe de la Ligue a record four times. Their most recent victory was in 2018, showcasing their dominance in French domestic competitions.

38. UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: PSG won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1996, one of their few European trophies. This victory marked a significant milestone in the club’s history and demonstrated their ability to compete at the highest level.

39. Intercontinental Cup: PSG won the Intercontinental Cup in 2001, further solidifying their status as a major force in international football. This victory came after a successful season that saw them dominate both domestically and in European competitions.

40. Champions League Semi-Final: In the 1994-95 season, PSG reached the UEFA Champions League semi-final under the guidance of manager Luis Fernandez. This achievement was a testament to the club’s growing strength and ambition on the European stage.

Iconic Players and Memorable Moments

PSG's history is filled with iconic players and unforgettable moments that have left a lasting legacy.

41. Ballon d’Or Winner George Weah: George Weah, who played for PSG from 1992 to 1995, won the Ballon d’Or in 1995. Weah’s time at PSG was marked by significant success, including winning the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France.

42. Ronaldinho’s Tenure: Ronaldinho, the Brazilian magician, played for PSG from 2001 to 2003 before moving to Barcelona. His time at PSG was notable for his skill and creativity on the pitch, which left a lasting impression on fans and teammates alike.

43. Zlatan Ibrahimović’s Record: Zlatan Ibrahimović scored 156 goals in 180 appearances for PSG between 2012 and 2016. His record-breaking goal tally during his time at PSG cemented his status as one of the greatest strikers in the club’s history.

44. Neymar’s Transfer: Neymar Jr. became the world’s most expensive player when he transferred to PSG from Barcelona for €222 million in 2017. This transfer marked a new era of spending for PSG, further solidifying their position as one of the top clubs in the world.

45. Kylian Mbappé’s Rise: Kylian Mbappé, one of the brightest young talents in football, joined PSG in 2017 and has since become a key player. His rapid rise to fame and success on the pitch has made him a fan favorite and a crucial component of PSG’s attacking lineup.

Merchandise, Sponsorships, and Community Impact

PSG's influence extends beyond football, impacting global fans and local communities through merchandise, sponsorships, and community initiatives.

46. Merchandise and Sponsorships: PSG’s influence extends beyond the football pitch. The club has a massive global fan base, with millions of followers on social media platforms. PSG has partnered with major brands like Nike, Jordan, and Accor to expand its global reach. The club’s merchandise, including jerseys and accessories, is sold worldwide.

47. Paris Saint-Germain Foundation: The Paris Saint-Germain Foundation focuses on social and community initiatives. The foundation aims to use football as a tool for social change, promoting education, health, and community development through various programs and activities.

48. Stadium Renovations: The Parc des Princes, PSG’s current home ground, has undergone several renovations over the years. The latest renovations have improved the stadium’s facilities and enhanced the fan experience, making it one of the most modern and comfortable stadiums in Europe.

49. Fan Culture: PSG has a dedicated fan base known for their passion and loyalty. The club’s fans, often referred to as "Les Rouge-et-Bleu," are known for their vibrant support both at home and away games. The rivalry with Olympique de Marseille is particularly intense, with matches between the two teams often being marked by high energy and intense competition.

50. Legacy and Future: As one of the wealthiest and most successful football clubs in the world, PSG continues to set new standards in terms of financial power, player signings, and on-pitch performance. With a rich history and a bright future ahead, PSG remains a force to be reckoned with in both domestic and international football competitions.

PSG: A Legacy of Ambition and Success

Paris Saint-Germain's journey from a modest merger in 1970 to a global football powerhouse is nothing short of remarkable. With Qatari investment, the club transformed into one of the wealthiest and most successful teams worldwide. PSG's lavish spending brought in stars like Neymar and Mbappé, making headlines with record-breaking transfers. The club's dominance in Ligue 1 and domestic cups is undeniable, boasting numerous titles and accolades. Despite challenges, including Financial Fair Play issues and intense rivalries, PSG's ambition remains unwavering. Their influence extends beyond the pitch, with a massive global fan base and impactful community initiatives. As PSG continues to set new standards in football, their legacy of ambition, success, and community impact is firmly cemented. The future looks bright for this iconic club, with fans eagerly anticipating more historic moments.