Despite delivering a standout season, Warren Zaïre-Emery found himself on the bench during the recent Champions League final victory over Arsenal. Coach Luis Enrique opted for Achraf Hakimi on the right flank and Fabian Ruiz in midfield, even going so far as to apologize for the decision. Now, a leading sports journalist suggests the young French international may be reconsidering his future at the club.

The same starting lineup that clinched last year’s Champions League title against Inter Milan was selected again—with the exception of Matvey Safonov—this time against Arsenal. Zaïre-Emery, a key contributor throughout the season, was the noticeable omission. His absence left many questioning the coach’s strategy and raised concerns about the player’s long-term role at Paris Saint-Germain.

Could a move away from PSG be on the horizon for Zaïre-Emery?

In a recent analysis, football pundit Pierre Maturana highlighted the dilemma facing the 20-year-old talent: “Players like Warren Zaïre-Emery, who perform at a high level all season but know they won’t start when the full squad is fit, might begin to question their future. When young players see limited game time, they often consider leaving to secure regular starting roles elsewhere.” He added, “He’s already a starter in most European clubs today. Someone of his profile could easily find a starting position anywhere in Europe. He only played because Hakimi and Ruiz weren’t available.”

“We were unfair to Warren” — Luis Enrique’s candid admission

Following the historic win, coach Luis Enrique addressed the situation in a post-match press conference. “It’s a dream come true and I couldn’t be happier,” he began. “But first, I need to acknowledge something important: as his coach, I feel we’ve been unfair to Warren Zaïre-Emery. He’s shown incredible character, and it was wrong not to start him. However, he responded professionally, coming on and making a significant impact. The match itself was tough; Arsenal played a low block, strong both technically and physically, making it difficult to break them down. We improved in the second half, but against a side like that, it’s always a challenge. Still, winning back-to-back Champions League titles is extraordinary—it’s one of the toughest feats in football. We’re incredibly proud and ready to celebrate.”

By Mariama Hamani — Analyst