PSG have grown from ´experience and scars´ to reach Champions League final – Marquinhos

Marquinhos says Paris Saint-Germain have used “experience and scars” to help them grow and, ultimately, book their place in this season’s Champions League final.

PSG will return to the showpiece in Europe’s premier club competition – five years after they were runners-up to Bayern Munich in Lisbon – after beating Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate in the last four.

Luis Enrique’s side, who were beaten by Borussia Dortmund in last year’s semi-finals, will play Inter in their fourth major European showpiece, having also featured in the 1996 and 1997 Cup Winners’ Cup finals and the 2020 Champions League final.

Marquinhos was part of Thomas Tuchel’s side that fell just short at Estadio do Luz in 2020, and will be looking to go the extra step and get his hands on the trophy half a decade later.

The defender believes that experience, as well as the Dortmund defeat 12 months ago, have helped him and his team-mates grow, and will serve them well as they look to finally land the prize that has notoriously eluded them.

TO THE FINAL!#PSGARS I #UCL pic.twitter.com/D3F0PT8ty7

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) May 7, 2025

“We’re working step by step,” he told Canal+. “We started the competition with the ambition of going far. We’re in the final.

“I’ve already lost a final. I know how painful it is. I’m going to try to this experience on to my team-mates. Nothing changes, we’ll continue working the same way to arrive feeling strong and confident.

“The coach has taken it step by step to improve this team. He arrived, he saw that there were a lot of things to change, there was a mentality to put in place. It doesn’t happen overnight, he worked little by little.

“There were matches that also unlocked our confidence [against] Manchester City [and] Liverpool. It confirmed the work.

“Experience and scars make you grow. I’ve had experiences that allow me to make the most of being on the pitch, when the team is running, defending.

“I talk about it with the younger players. We’ve had to work hard to get here, to have this mentality, this DNA.

“Last year, we sometimes worked well and had chances, but we couldn’t convert them. This year’s results show that we’re on the right track.”