PSG – Barça Clash Heats Up in France: A Rivalry Revisited

French newspapers are stirring the PSG – Barça clash, recalling the contentious episodes between the two teams, especially in the transfer markets.

L’Equipe headlines “more than a rivalry,” while Le Figaro discusses “the hidden side of a duel that spans years.”

FC Barcelona can expect a hostile atmosphere at Parc des Princes. PSG fans are eager to secure their first-ever Champions League title, and they have a special animosity toward FC Barcelona.

The confrontation has heated up in French media. L’Equipe, the country’s leading sports daily, opens with a bold “more than a rivalry,” featuring images of both presidents, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and Joan Laporta, as well as coaches Luis Enrique and Xavi Hernández.

In the inside pages, they recall that Al-Khelaïfi “used to support Barça,” but now “the mere mention of the Blaugrana team sounds like an offense and provokes the desire to turn the tables.”

The grievances outlined by the French newspaper date back to 2013 when Barcelona attempted to sign Thiago Silva and later encountered similar issues with Marquinhos and, notably, Marco Verratti. The case of the Italian was particularly painful, as it followed the historic comeback in 2017, with the 6-1 victory and Sergi Roberto’s final goal.

Al-Khelaïfi retaliated with the signing of Neymar, paying his €222 million release clause. Shortly after, PSG acquired one of Barça’s youth gems, Xavi Simons, and thwarted the attempt to sign Wijnaldum, a player requested by Ronald Koeman.

While Wijnaldum struggled at PSG and now plays in Saudi Arabia, PSG had achieved its goal of preventing him from joining Barça from Liverpool.

Another point of contention, according to L’Equipe, lies in “the Super League project, which has further divided positions.” Al-Khelaïfi, a staunch supporter of UEFA, spoke of “the debt of certain big clubs,” alluding to Barcelona.

The next threat could involve pursuing the signings of Gavi or Cubarsí after securing Ousmane Dembélé this summer.

Meanwhile, Le Figaro speaks of “the hidden side of a rivalry that spans years.” The arguments mirror those of L’Equipe, fostering a rivalry that is more painful from France than from the Barcelona side.

FC Barcelona has always been far superior to PSG until Qatar’s millions arrived. The Parisians want to reverse this trend once and for all and finally lift their first ‘Big Ears’.