Former Barcelona and Sevilla midfielder Ivan Rakitic has tipped Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to win Saturday’s Champions League final against Inter Milan, praising the Ligue 1 giants’ remarkable season under Spanish tactician Luis Enrique.
Speaking to Sport Blitz 360 via La Liga media, the 37-year-old, who won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015, said:
“For Luis Enrique at PSG, I think they’ve grown incredibly. With the matches they’ve played recently, they are clear favourites to win the title. Although in a final, it is always difficult to talk about a favourite because Inter has done a very good job to be there too.”
Rakitic added: “It’s probably going to be a very tough match. They are going to fight very hard. We are going to enjoy a great game, and may the best team win.”
He also acknowledged Inter Milan’s resilience, highlighting their performance against Barcelona as evidence of their quality and growth:
“PSG perhaps seem a little stronger now, but Inter showed what they are capable of against Barca, and I’m sure they learned from that final they lost a few years ago against Manchester City.”
For PSG, a Champions League victory would cap a historic treble, having already secured the Ligue 1 title and League Cup. A triumph would also allow Luis Enrique to replicate his 2015 treble success with Barcelona, potentially becoming only the second manager, after Pep Guardiola, to achieve this feat with two different clubs.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan enters the final looking to salvage a disappointing season, having missed out on both the Serie A title and Coppa Italia. A Champions League win would not only redeem their campaign but also mark the first time an Italian team has lifted the trophy since Inter themselves in 2010.
The Champions League final promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both sides highly motivated to claim European glory. The match is scheduled for Saturday night at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
