May 21, 2026

The African Tribune

Bold, independent reporting on Africa's most important stories, in English, every day.

Marquinhos reflects on psg’s ligue 1 defeat, sets sights on champions league final

Paris Saint-Germain concluded their Ligue 1 campaign with a 2-1 loss against Paris FC on the 34th and final matchday. With the domestic season now behind them, the focus for PSG shifts entirely to the eagerly anticipated Champions League final.

Following the final whistle of their last Ligue 1 fixture, which saw PSG fall to Paris FC, captain Marquinhos offered his insights on the defeat. He also provided a season overview for the Ligue 1 journey before firmly turning his attention towards the upcoming Champions League showdown.

“We have two weeks to meticulously prepare for this ultimate objective”

“The entire context plays a role, and we absorb it all. Everything that unfolds here presents opportunities for growth and improvement, especially after a loss,” stated the PSG captain to Ligue 1 +. “It’s clear we didn’t perform as required. We needed to do better, particularly in the first half where our level of play was simply not up to standard. We did manage to score in the second half, but we must keep pushing forward.”

Marquinhos emphasized the crucial period ahead: “We now have two weeks to meticulously prepare for this ultimate objective that lies before us. The trophy ceremony was a positive moment, and within the circumstances, it was the only thing we could do. We celebrated this title, having worked incredibly hard throughout the year to secure it. This league is exceptionally challenging to win, especially this season.”

He continued, highlighting the significance of their upcoming challenge: “This is a demanding end to the season, with many more challenges still ahead for us. Reaching a Champions League final is one of the most remarkable achievements that can happen in a season. To play in a final—this is my third here in Paris over 13 years—truly illustrates its difficulty. It’s an exhilarating conclusion to the season. Even with today’s defeat, we will identify areas for improvement. I am certain our coach will be pushing us rigorously over these next two weeks to ensure we are at our best for this Champions League final.”