Barcelona, October 3, 2025
Paris Saint-Germain’s 2–1 victory over FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League group stage has sparked heated debate, but none more explosive than the remarks of French legend and former Barça defender Lilian Thuram. Speaking to L’Équipe after the match, Thuram dismissed PSG’s win: “PSG will always be a step below Barça. Their victory was mostly luck, not superiority.”
His words provoked a sharp response from PSG coach Luis Enrique and reignited the already fierce rivalry between the two clubs.
A Controversial Night at Montjuïc
The clash at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys was marred by refereeing controversy, with Michael Oliver — now reportedly under UEFA review — at the center of it. Barcelona dominated large stretches, opening the scoring in the 19th minute when Ferran Torres converted a brilliant assist from Marcus Rashford.
But PSG struck back: Senny Mayulu equalized in the 38th minute, and Gonçalo Ramos sealed the comeback with a dramatic 90th-minute goal. That winner, however, drew heavy criticism over a possible offside. Thuram, who played for Barcelona from 2006 to 2008, insisted the scoreline misrepresented the match: “Barça controlled the game. Without certain refereeing mistakes and some luck, the outcome would have been different. PSG has quality, but Barça is a club with a superior philosophy.”
Luis Enrique Fires Back
Thuram’s words landed poorly in Paris. Luis Enrique — once a beloved figure at Barcelona and now PSG’s head coach — countered strongly at his post-match press conference:
“I respect Lilian as a player, but his comments are unfair and misinformed. My team faced a great opponent with important absences and showed character to win. Calling it luck diminishes my players’ work. Football isn’t won with philosophy, it’s won with goals and commitment — and we did both.”
Fans and Media React
PSG supporters quickly rallied to defend their team on social media. One fan account, @psg_fanatic, posted: “Thuram should rewatch the game. We won with fight, not luck. That’s football!” French outlet Le Parisien also slammed Thuram’s remarks as “a gratuitous attack” that overlooked the merit of a shorthanded PSG side missing stars like Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia.
On the Barcelona side, however, Thuram’s comments were welcomed. Many Blaugrana fans echoed his words online, with posts like @MecUALEPRID’s: “Thuram speaks the truth. PSG only won thanks to the referee and a dubious goal. Barça will always be superior.” The defeat — Barça’s first of the season — has sharpened a sense of grievance among culés, with hashtags like #RoboalBarça trending as fans denounce Ramos’ late goal and Nuno Mendes escaping a second yellow.
Still, not everyone at Barcelona backed Thuram’s tone. Coach Hansi Flick took a measured approach: “I don’t speak about luck or no luck. We played well, but football is like this. We must learn and move forward.” Flick, who had already voiced frustration with Oliver’s officiating, seemed keen to shift focus to the next La Liga clash against Sevilla.
A Rivalry Reignited
The Barça–PSG rivalry has been simmering for years, from the unforgettable 6–1 comeback in 2017 to repeated high-stakes encounters in Europe. Transfers, egos, and dramatic nights have only added fuel. Thuram, who straddles both French and Spanish football cultures, clearly struck a nerve by questioning PSG’s European credentials.
Despite PSG finally lifting the Champions League trophy in 2024, doubts about their status as a true “giant” linger.
As UEFA continues its investigation into referee Michael Oliver, the debate rages on: Was PSG’s victory built on merit or fortune? Is Barça still “a step above”? What’s certain is that PSG left Montjuïc with the points — but Thuram’s incendiary words, and Luis Enrique’s sharp rebuttal, guarantee this rivalry stays as fiery as ever.
