UEFA chief Ceferin hails Budapest's UCL final hosting as 'no accident'
Synopsis
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin's praise for Budapest seals a landmark season — one where Paris Saint-Germain became the first French club to win the Champions League twice, edging Arsenal 5-4 on penalties at the Puskas Arena and reshaping the European football hierarchy under Luis Enrique.
Key Takeaways
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin praised Budapest's hosting of the 2025-26 Champions League final as 'no accident'.
The final was played at the Puskas Arena on 30 May , with PSG beating Arsenal 5-4 on penalties.
PSG became the first French club to win the UCL twice and the second European side to retain it back-to-back.
Under Luis Enrique , PSG scored 45 goals in the campaign — averaging 2.8 per match , matched only by Barcelona in 1999-2000 .
Luis Enrique is now PSG's most successful manager with 12 trophies .
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has lauded Hungary's hosting of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League final in Budapest, declaring that the smooth staging of European football's marquee club night was 'no accident' but the product of years of preparation. The final, played on 30 May at the Puskas Arena, saw Paris Saint-Germain retain the title after edging Arsenal 5-4 on penalties.
What Ceferin said
In a letter published on the Hungarian Football Federation's official website and addressed to federation president Sandor Csanyi, Ceferin described hosting a Champions League final as 'one of the greatest responsibilities in world football.'
'The success experienced in Budapest was no accident. It was the result of years of hard work, unwavering dedication and meticulous preparation,' Ceferin wrote, as quoted in reports.
The UEFA chief thanked the federation and the organising team, saying the final reflected the unity, passion and friendship embodied by football. He singled out the Puskas Arena as a fitting stage for Europe's premier club competition and a symbol of Hungarian football's progress in recent years.
PSG's historic night
On the pitch, Paris Saint-Germain became the first French club to win the Champions League twice and only the second European side to do so in back-to-back seasons. The triumph took PSG's overall trophy count since inception to 60, including 42 since Qatar Sports Investments took charge in 2011.
Already crowned French champions for the fifth consecutive season, PSG also became the second team this century to reach two straight Champions League finals while winning their domestic league — following Manchester United in 2008-09.
Luis Enrique's record campaign
Under Luis Enrique — now the most decorated manager in the club's history with 12 trophies — PSG scored 45 goals in this season's Champions League, averaging 2.8 per match. Only FC Barcelona in 1999-2000 have matched that tally in a single edition.
What's next
Attention now turns to next season's competition under UEFA's expanded format, with Budapest's hosting credentials likely to strengthen Hungary's case for future European finals.
Point of View
Well-resourced hosts at a time when geopolitical and infrastructure risks are reshaping where finals can go. Budapest's smooth delivery — paired with PSG's historic double — gives the Puskas Arena a strong case for future showpiece nights. The deeper story, though, is PSG's transformation under Qatari ownership finally cashing in on Europe's biggest prize, twice, after more than a decade of near-misses.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League final in Budapest?
Paris Saint-Germain won the 2025-26 Champions League final, beating Arsenal 5-4 on penalties at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on 30 May. It was PSG's second Champions League title, making them the first French club to win the trophy twice.
What did UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin say about Budapest hosting the final?
Ceferin described the success of the Budapest final as 'no accident', calling it the result of years of hard work and meticulous preparation. In a letter to Hungarian Football Federation president Sandor Csanyi, he praised the Puskas Arena as a fitting stage for Europe's premier club competition.
How many goals did PSG score in the 2025-26 Champions League?
PSG scored 45 goals across the campaign, averaging 2.8 goals per match. That tally is matched only by FC Barcelona's record in the 1999-2000 edition of the competition.
How many trophies has Luis Enrique won at PSG?
Luis Enrique has won 12 trophies at PSG, making him the most successful manager in the club's history. His tenure has included consecutive French league titles and back-to-back Champions League final appearances.
