A few years ago, Paris Saint-Germain was not a much appreciated club in Spain. And this, whether by clubs, fans, and even by La Liga, with a Javier Tebas which led a big crusade against clubs belonging to states, multiplying the media outings against the stable led by QSI. For their part, supporters of Real Madrid and FC Barcelona saw a hell of a competitor arriving, capable of putting them in sporting level, and especially to steal players, with Neymar as the most convincing example. A new very serious threat to the two Liga Ogres, in a country where club buybacks by foreign capital, whether private or state, have always been quite poorly seen. It is also a duel between two models: clubs belonging to socios, where it is impossible for a shareholder to come and inject money, faced with clubs doped financially and with practically unlimited budgets.
A complicated history
The various direct conflicts between the two giants of Iberian football and PSG, from the Neymar case to the interest of Barça for Verratti and Marquinhos, passing by the Pérez-Nasser clash about the Super League, clearly created an animosity of many football fans towards Paris Outre-Pyrénées. A sporting rivalry was also set up following certain events, including the famous Rontada. Then, there was the case Mbappé as a icing on the cake, marked by episodes of anger on one side as on the other, and relations now very tense between PSG and Real Madrid, while it was a little calmed between Parisians and Barcelona. But in a global way, today, Paris Saint-Germain is a more respected and more appreciated club than before.
Inevitably, the presence of Luis Enrique on the bench is one of the main explanations of this change of overall opinion of Spain of football on PSG. Which may seem paradoxical, since the former coach was far from unanimous when he was at the head of La Roja, especially with Madrid public opinion. But today, the prowess of the Asturian coach are praised by all and, far from his country, he now seems much more appreciated by his compatriots. But Lucho's nationality is not the only explanation, far from it, since the team of Unai Emery was far from enjoying the same popularity. It is often said that respect is won in the field, and PSG is a very good example. What Vitinha's band offers is demonstrating that Paris Saint-Germain is a real team and not just a heap of individuals, as considered for many years. The content of the matches pleases the Spanish a lot, generally very sensitive to the tactical aspect of football and team fans with a clear game plan, especially when it is brought to the attack. Just as the profile of Parisian circles corresponds wonderfully to what we appreciate on the other side of the Pyrenees.
Everything has changed
Among the most appreciated players, in addition to the environments, we also find Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé, who surprised everyone after several mid-figs half-grape in Barcelona. In the media, there is no doubt, and the hundreds and hundreds of articles published during these hours preceding the confrontation between Merengues and Parisians are flattering. Likewise on TV and radio sets, where everyone believes that the Luis Enrique team goes to favorite against that of Xabi Alonso. For Spanish journalists, PSG is the reference today and a model from which Real Madrid like FC Barcelona must be inspired. In terms of level, game, but also sports management. You will understand, it is on the ground that PSG has won many Spaniards. There too, we can evoke a small paradox since Ligue 1 is not particularly followed in Spain. The French championship is not even broadcast in the country of Cervantes, since no diffuser bought its rights. It is therefore – outside the French football fans that remain rare – especially in the Champions League that our neighbors follow Paris Saint -Germain.
The club's efforts to popularize its brand around the world, via the Lifestyle collections with Jordan for example, have their effect, especially among young people. It is therefore not uncommon to meet people with clothes with the image of the capital's club in the main Spanish cities, which was not the case a few years ago, above all. Behind the big clubs in the country and some premier League stables, Paris Saint-Germain is the jersey that we see most in the city stades and in the streets of the neighboring country. Tonight, a good part of Spain will also be on the side of the French club. This is explained by intra-spanish rivalry, with fans of Barça and Atlético who are still behind the Real opponent, but also because PSG has gained popularity and gleaned some supporters. Even on the side of the Madrilenians, we may want to battle it out than during other recent confrontations …
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