Paris Saint-Germain midfielder João Neves delivered a pointed remark about Arsenal following PSG’s Champions League final victory in Budapest.
PSG retained their European crown on Saturday, beating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw at the Puskás Aréna.
Kai Havertz gave Arsenal an early lead before Ousmane Dembélé equalised from the spot in the second half.
PSG then held their nerve throughout the shootout to secure back-to-back Champions League titles in dramatic fashion.
After the match, Neves spoke emotionally about winning the competition for the second consecutive year with the French club.
The Portuguese midfielder said he was proud not just because of the trophy, but because of the teammates, staff and people around him at PSG.
He also described joining PSG as the best decision of his life, making clear how strongly he feels about the project in Paris.
However, the most talked-about part of his interview was a pointed comment directed at Arsenal after the final whistle.
Speaking to M6, Neves said PSG deserved to win because they were “the only one who wanted to play.”
That line will sting Arsenal fans deeply, particularly after such a painful and narrow defeat in a major final.
From PSG’s perspective, the emotion is understandable, as they showed greater composure after equalising and delivered when it mattered most.
Reuters described the match as a gruelling final, with PSG becoming the first side since Real Madrid between 2016 and 2018 to retain the Champions League.
For Arsenal, though, Neves’ criticism may feel particularly harsh given how closely they came to winning their first-ever Champions League title.
Arsenal were minutes and penalties away from a historic triumph, making suggestions of unambition feel difficult to accept from Mikel Arteta’s perspective.
Arteta clearly set his team up to compete, protect spaces and make PSG uncomfortable throughout the ninety minutes and beyond.
PSG won the final, so they have earned every right to speak with confidence about their performance on the night.
The French side showed greater calm in the decisive moments, and that composure ultimately separated the champions from a valiant Arsenal side.
Neves’ comments are understandable given the emotion of the occasion, but Arsenal had a clear plan that worked for long periods.
The problem for Arsenal was ultimately that they could not finish the job when the decisive moments arrived in the shootout.
PSG are now back-to-back European champions, and Neves will be remembered as one of the key figures driving their remarkable continental dominance.
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