“England built London for herself; France built Paris for the whole world.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
By: Uriel Twittu
Paris is considered the standard-bearer of French culture as a whole. The city truly represents the classical European spirit, and for many decades was defined as the cultural center of the Old Continent. Literature, politics, history, cuisine and higher education – 'city of Lights' has always been the spearhead of the French 'spirit of the nation'.
You might assume that in the field of sports, a fundamental element of national identity, the capital would also lead the list of top sports teams. The precedents for this are countless. London, for example, currently has six top football clubs participating in the Premier League. The Madrid football club also leads the league table in wins, with many other capital cities showing keen involvement in their country's sporting scene.
Indeed, the initial figures look promising. The city has about 360 sports facilities: 172 tennis courts, 131 municipal gymnasiums, 36 swimming pools and 10 educational pools, 32 municipal stadiums, and six parks that Paris shares with its neighboring districts. More data? While the starting point of the famous Tour de France race changes every year, the final stage always takes place in Paris. The finish point, in case you were wondering, is in Sderot. Shanez Eliza, the city's defining symbol and a constant motif in the image of the glitzy Parisian. Tennis is another popular sport in Paris; the French Open (Roland Gross) is held every year on the 'Roland Gross Stadium' – near the Bois de Boulogne, a public park annexed to Paris in 1929.
“I don’t talk to myself about anything – except football”
For many Israelis, sports are all about soccer. Large swimming pools, gyms, and tennis courts? Well, that's great! But we, sports enthusiasts from the Holy Land, are loyal to soccer. Fortunately, a provincial Francophile doesn't have to go out of his way to win a trip. Like other European capitals, soccer is hugely popular in Paris, taking the top spot as the city's "most beloved sport." This achievement can be attributed to the city's main team, Paris Saint-Germain.
A look at the long list of titles and the sparkling memories of the stars who played in the media may present a false picture of reality of a senior team with an extensive history. The reality, surprisingly, is slightly different. Paris Saint-Germain is not the oldest team in France. Its legacy is the fruit of a few decades of football. Marseille, Lyon And even Lille can boast of veteran football teams, with a more deeply rooted fan tradition.
How did Paris Saint-Germain achieve such greatness in the minds of football fans and lead the French league table? In the following article, I will briefly review the luxury club, its emerging legacy, its short-term but scandal-filled history, its sporting achievements, and finally: a practical guide to spending time worthy of its name at the 'Garden of the Princes', the famous stadium of the 'Parisians'.
The Parisian Code of Football
To many neutral football fans, the Parisian football club is considered enigmatic. There are teams that are loved; there are teams that are hated; and there are teams that love to hate. Paris Saint-Germain falls into the latter category. The team from the capital is considered the most successful in all of France and a local title powerhouse. Its sporting achievements include 11 championships, a coveted European Cup (one of two French teams to hold the achievement, along with Olympique Marseille) and more than 40 official titles.
Paris Saint-Germain – Club Profile
The Reds and Blues (the familiar nickname for Paris Saint-Germain) enjoy a huge following around the world. The team's fan base is the largest in France and the club is at the center of a constant media discourse. The list of celebrity fans includes politicians such as Nicolas Sarkozy, athletes such as Tony Parker and even famous musicians such as DJ Snake and others. Many celebrities have visited the stadium in recent years, including Beyonce, Jay-Z, David Beckham - a famous former footballer - and Steph Curry, the famous basketball player.
The roster of stars who have played for the Parisian club includes many names that are familiar to football fans everywhere. Among the names: Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Neymar Jr. Until last season, a minor Argentine player whose name you may have heard of also played for PSG – Lionel Messi. Today, Kylian Mbappe is considered the city's main star and, according to many, the best football player in the world.
So, you may ask, what is the reason for the hatred that so many people feel for the rich and successful club? The main reason, apparently, involves being rich and successful. Football fans tend to drift into romantic thoughts about 'the beautiful game,' as nicknames. Among fans of the sport, hatred of the 'nouveau riche' is widespread, those new rich people who dare to demand a place at the top of European football, without heritage or tradition. To understand the story - short but complex - of the most hated club in France, there is no escape from a piece of history.
The history of Paris Saint-Germain
Unlike other well-known football clubs, Paris Saint-Germain is a particularly young team. In fact, its official founding date is only 1970. Its rivals at the top of world football – Manchester United (1878), Barcelona (1899), Bayern Munich (1900) and Real Madrid (1902) – are several decades older than it.
Speaking of Real Madrid, it is worth noting that PSG owes its founding story to the Madrid-based club. Here is the story: Santiago Bernabeu, the esteemed Spanish president, realized that his professional skills were now needed in the neighboring country. At the time, Olympique Marseille was considered the most important soccer team in France. In Paris, a city of great cultural importance, no well-known soccer team had yet been established. In the days in which our story takes place, a group of ambitious businessmen decided to establish a senior team that would be identified with the capital city. As a man with extensive managerial experience and someone who knew the feelings of soccer fans, Bernabeu recommended to the board of directors that they establish a crowdfunding project. With the support of the fans, Santiago thought, it would be possible to solve the economic hardship facing the entrepreneurs. The idea was a resounding success. 20,000 fans joined the project. The sums of money allowed the young team to overcome the regulatory difficulties involved in its establishment. On June 17, 1970, PSG was officially founded. For the first time in the history of local football – fans contributed to the establishment of the club.
turning point
Founded by the fans, but robbed by the capitalists. This is the feeling that accompanies many of the team's long-time supporters, who feel that fame and big money have turned the beloved club into a commercial business. Just when it seemed that the team was beginning to consolidate a legacy and make its way to the top, the club was purchased by Qatar Sports Investments (QSi). QSi is a sovereign wealth fund managed by the Qatari authorities. The oil principality, as is well known, makes enormous efforts to gain sympathy and legitimacy. Sports 'image laundering' is a well-known and particularly effective strategy.
The changes were immediate. The steady and gradual path that PSG had taken was replaced by absurd acquisitions and an attempt to create an artificial 'star team'. The signing of Blaise Matuidi, Salvatore Sirigu, Maxwell, Kevin Gameiro and Javier Pastore, football players from the top European level, marked the beginning of the revolution. Other stars arrived over the years, including the famous striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, team captain Thiago Silva and coach Carlo Ancelotti.
But nothing compared to the Parisians' transfer window at the start of the 2017/18 season. Neymar Jr. was signed for a whopping $222,000,000 million from the Catalan football team Barcelona. This amount shattered the transfer ceiling and is considered the highest ever spent on a single player. The 'achievement', by the way, has been maintained to this day. Another declaration of intent was the acquisition of Kylian Mbappe, a budding French star who took his first steps at the Monaco football team (known as the best 'incubator' for the development of young players). Mbappe was transferred on an initial loan – which became a permanent transfer the following football season, for a sum of 180,000,000.
The PSG experiment that failed
The summer of 2021 is also considered historic. Paris Saint-Germain completed the transfer of Lionel Messi, the player considered by many to be the best of all time. Sergio Ramos, his arch-rival from Real Madrid, also signed for PSG, along with other well-known names such as Moroccan Achraf Hakimi and Italian Gianluigi Donnarumma. The latter was acquired after demonstrating exceptional abilities in the last Euro tournament, which his team won.
The team's controversial acquisition policy has sparked widespread outrage and led to a wave of hatred towards the reviled club. On the domestic scene, Paris Saint-Germain has achieved great achievements and become the most established and successful club, with complete control of Ligue 1 in which it plays. But for Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the Qatari owner, this was not enough. He has always aspired to lead the team under his management to the coveted summit that every fan dreams of: 'the cup with the big ears' – the European Champions League.
The current football club
Dreams and reality aside. PSG has never won a European title and has only qualified for the Champions League final once. The ongoing failure in the European arena has led to a radical and radical change. Last season, Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. left the team. Young, ambitious players were signed in their place. For the first time in the Qatari era, emphasis was placed on local signings and strengthening ties to France. The familiar names were replaced with potential talents. So far, the new project has had mixed success, but journalists close to the club say that the atmosphere in the dressing room signals a change in trend. Team cohesion, it is claimed, is stronger than ever. The team's stars these days are Ousmane Dembele – who came to his homeland from Barcelona, Achraf Hakimi, Gianluigi Donnarumma and, above all, of course, Kylian Mbappe (ask your children; they are sure to know him).
Club symbols
Since its foundation, Paris Saint-Germain has represented both Paris and the nearby royal town of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The club's emblems suggest this dual representation. The blue and red colours of the crest are a tribute to the Parisian bicolor. The white colour, on the other hand, is a symbol of royalty and a characteristic of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The official crest shows the Eiffel Tower, the immortal representation of the city, with at its foot the Fleur de lys – the flower profile and symbol of monarchy, until the French Revolution.
The most memorable shirts of the luxury club included one of the colors of the emblem – red, blue or white. The other two colors were also incorporated into the uniforms. And if we have come this far, it is interesting to know that the first club shirts were made by Daniel Haster, a famous fashion designer of Jewish-French origin. He is known, mainly, as a revolutionary creator, but he also lent his hand to the field of football business. In addition to designing the uniforms of the French national football team for the 1998 World Cup (in which the team won the championship), Haster was one of the founders of PSG and even served as chairman of the board of directors of the team and later as its president. The modern shirt is clearly different from the mythological example, to the dismay of many. Nevertheless, Nike, the current designer, decided to draw inspiration from the iconic shirts and maintain the representation of the club's colors.
The official mascot of Paris Saint-Germain is the schooner. A friendly and harmless animal that has become a crowd favorite at the local stadium. The mascot was first unveiled in 2010 – as part of the club’s fortieth anniversary celebrations. Even today, the mascot in the form of a kind and smiling schooner can be seen entertaining children in the stands or participating in a ‘warm-up show’ as the players prepare for a match. “Ici, c’est Paris” (This is Paris) and “Paris est magique!” (Paris is magical!) are the slogans most associated with the club. The anthem, if you ask, is “Allez Paris!” – which has been changed over the years to “Allez Paris-Saint-Germain!”.
And finally: The common nickname for Paris Saint-Germain is 'the Parisians'. Another nickname is 'the red-blues' – a reference to the club's main colors. And how is it possible without the common abbreviation – PSG. The nickname is mainly used in writing, although the club is sometimes called by its initials, pronounced with a syllabic accent.
Rivalries sportsmanship
Like any self-respecting football team, the Parisians have acquired a fierce rival over the years. The most emotional game in France is 'Le Classic', also known as the 'French Classic' or 'French Derby', between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Marseille. The turbulent emotions between the fan camps require early police preparation to prevent extreme violence. Despite the preparations, mass fights break out between well-known ultras camps. In football, as in soccer, the rivalry extends beyond the pitch. The derby represents historical and cultural questions and the struggle that prevails beneath the surface between the wealthy north and the south, between the capital and the provinces.
After the Qatari takeover of Paris Saint-Germain, the sporting rivalry subsided somewhat. The gap between the teams – which had previously been relatively equal – gave way to a clear lead for the red-blues. Nevertheless, in contrast to what was happening on the pitch, the rivalry off the pitch intensified sevenfold. The northerners proudly waved a growing list of titles. The southerners, on the other hand, emphasized the authenticity of their team and their opposition to the 'big money' that had clouded the romance. Local broadcast channels are contributing to the struggle, which increases the resonance of 'Le Classic' and exposure to the league as a whole.
Facts you (probably) didn't know about Paris Saint-Germain
The club's uniforms were inspired by the symbols of the city of Paris.
However, the Ajax Amsterdam football team had a significant influence on the choice of colors. Daniel Haster, as we know, was one of many fans who fell under the spell of Cruyff and Co.'s Dutch glory team. The flowing and exciting football was, for him, a constant source of inspiration. Haster incorporated a red stripe down the center of the shirt as a tribute to the "Jews" (Ajax, it turns out, also has a familiar nickname). The design has changed completely in recent years, but history perpetuates the original color scheme, and the retro shirts continue to be sold today.
The rivalry between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Marseille has intensified over the years.
But in the early days of the capital club, there were no signs of the impending crisis. In fact, PSG's management gave up on a championship title so as not to arouse the wrath of their southern neighbors. This was after the television giant Canal+ took over the club in 1991. Paris Saint-Germain armed itself with exceptional players and fought with Marseille for the league title, under the baton of Arthur Jorge, the great Portuguese striker of the past. Disappointingly, and after a stubborn competition, it was Marseille that came out on top. The Parisians were forced to watch their rival hoist the coveted trophy – for the fifth time in a row.
But suddenly there was a twist in the plot: Olympique Marseille was accused of match-fixing and questionable conduct. The championship title was stripped from the southern team due to the serious suspicions. Its runner-up, Paris Saint-Germain, was the natural candidate for the crowning. But in a completely unexpected way and despite seven whole years in which they had not won a significant title, the management refused the honor. The reason? Canal+ was afraid of angering its subscribers in Marseille. In the Champions League, the club's management also decided not to take the place of its rival, whose participation in the tournament had been denied. This led to the fact that it was Monaco, the humble team from the principality that also plays in Ligue 1 (the first French league), that won the honor.
Ronaldinho? Cavani? Mbappe? For the team's die-hard fans, Amara Diane is the mythical hero.
Stability breeds stars; great moments breed legends. We all know the current version of PSG, which competes on an equal footing with the top European teams. In this state of affairs, not many know that in the 2007/08 football season, Paris Saint-Germain struggled and was on the verge of relegation to the second division. After a nightmare season characterized by heated confrontations between fans and senior management and professional staff, the team faced a decisive match – against the Sochaux-Montbéliard football club. The savior was Amara Diagne, who scored two goals on a magical night for him. The game ended 2:1 and PSG remained in the top division. The rest of his achievements in the sport were rather mediocre, but sometimes one great moment is enough to allow a player to etch his name in the hearts of the fans and in the club's annals.
stadium Parc de France
Parc des Princes (French: Parc des Princes; loosely translated as 'Princes' Park') is the home stadium of the Paris Saint-Germain football team. The name of the ground is given to it because of the area in which it is located – a wooded park that was used by the royal family before the revolution. Unlike the team that plays there, the ground has a long and rich history. Its cornerstone was laid somewhere in 1897, when it served as the home stadium of the France national football team and the France national rugby union team. The ongoing romance between the national team and the familiar ground continued until the construction of the Stade de France (French: Stade de France; France Stadium), before the 1998 World Cup held in the country.
The famous pitch was designed by architect Roger Taillibert, whose works include the Olympic Stadium in Montreal. Parc de France is famous for its 50 concrete columns at its ends, which join to form a ring-shaped roof – the same roof that is so closely associated with it and considered one of the team's symbols in the public consciousness.
While the National Stadium is considered the largest in France, with a whopping 81,338 seats, the ‘Jardin des Princes’ is much more modest in its dimensions. In fact, the pitches of the football teams Marseille, Olympique Lyonnais and even Lille are larger than the pitch in the French capital, which has only 47,929 seats. Parc des Princes is located in southwest Paris, within the 16th arrondissement, in a complex that also includes the Roland Garros tennis stadium and the multi-purpose Jean Bowen stadium (where rugby, American football and more are played, among other things).
The stadium has hosted major sporting tournaments, including the World Cup, Rugby, European Cups, Euros and the Women's World Cup. It also hosts many music concerts featuring famous artists. Michael Jackson, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Metallica and Coldplay are some of the well-known names who have performed in front of enthusiastic French audiences at the stadium.
Shortly before the Euro 2016 tournament, the stadium underwent a major facelift at a cost of €75,000,000 million. As part of the renovation work, the grass was replaced, functional seating was installed and giant screens were installed. The club logos were integrated into the pitch, which became modern and innovative – in a way that befits the demands of the 21st century and PSG's status as a rising star.
Tour of the Paris Saint-Germain stadium
For football fans, travelers with children and tourists who want to experience the local atmosphere, we offer Guided tour of the stadiumAs part of the process of making the place accessible to visitors, the tour has been significantly expanded. Today, tourists and locals can enjoy an unprecedented glimpse behind the scenes of Paris Saint-Germain.
The walking tour includes a visit to the impressive, renovated stadium and the locker room where the players hang out before the game. Tour participants are allowed to take a closer look at the players' benches, peek into the press conference room, and visit the awards room, the team museum, and the VIP rooms. Visitors will also be shown the presidential suite and, for dessert, the team's trophy wall. Tours take place between 10:00 AM and 17:00 PM. The tour lasts about an hour, and is accompanied by an audio guide in various languages, including English, French, Spanish and Arabic.
Paris Saint-Germain match tickets
If you want to watch a match at the stadium, remember that ticket prices gradually increase as the match date approaches. The club's immense popularity leads to continuous price increases, especially before major sporting events. If you're craving a crucial match in the late stages of the Champions League, you'll sometimes have to part with hundreds of euros.
Most tickets belong to season ticket holders. However, the group offers a limited number of tickets for the benefit of tourists and casual visitors, which can be purchased on site. On this siteFor league games, ticket prices start at around 35 euros for a modest seat, which allows for a seat behind the goal. In major games, as mentioned, the price jumps significantly.
Low supply and high demand lead to ticket speculation. Many subscribers take advantage of the club's enormous worldwide popularity and offer their tickets to tourists who want them. This factor affects ticket prices, leads to dynamic fluctuations in value, and makes it difficult to charge an exact amount.
Stadium stands
The Auteuil stand usually has a low ticket supply, as this is where the team's ultras sit. They attend their team's games frequently and rarely miss matches. Less important tournaments? Not for the dedicated fan. In his opinion – Barcelona is right. LorraineAlthough the atmosphere in the Ultras stands is fiery and passionate, we recommend that families and regular tourists avoid sitting in their vicinity; the tense atmosphere, the deafening noise, and the fundamentalist fervor may overshadow the viewing experience.
In the two stands behind the goals, Auteuil and Boulogne, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. It is important to remember that the guidelines apply – even though the ticket indicates a seat number. Therefore, if you have purchased a seat in one of these stands, it is important to arrive early and take a seat. If you have purchased a ticket along the pitch, an usher will escort you to the exact seat indicated on your ticket. You can arrive with an electronic ticket on your mobile phone, or print the ticket in advance. It is mandatory to have an ID (preferably a passport, as a driver's license is not considered an official means of identification in France).
How to get to Parc des Princes
Parc des Princes is located in the southwest of Paris, in the 16th arrondissement, and is built on the Paris ring road, the “Péripheric.” Do not confuse it with the Stade de France, which is located in the north of Paris.
Getting to the stadium is very easy: it is located within walking distance of the Porte de ST. Cloud metro station, which is on line 9. At every match, stewards are present on the way to the stadium to help you navigate to your stand. Those with independent tendencies can use the orientation map on the match ticket, which shows in detail the directions.
On match days, the metro runs more frequently – before and after the game – so it is recommended to get there and back using it. Entry to the field is subject to a strict security check. There is a souvenir shop in the stadium and fast food and drinks can be purchased in the stands.
last words
We opened the article by presenting the Parisian enigma and with wistful thoughts about the nature of modern football, in an era where money has defeated emotion and romance has given way to relentless competitiveness. Is it possible to fight the infusion of capital into the game of football? Is there anything wrong with state-owned entities investing in sports teams? Paris Saint-Germain fans are enjoying the fruits of glory, but long-time and dedicated fans hope that one day the huge investments will give way to a calculated and gradual building process. The proliferation of young players, the strengthening of the academy, the strengthening of local ties and the entrusting of the keys to a past legend of the game – Luis Enrique – who is gradually instilling his method in the club, signal a possible change in trend. PSG fans will continue to hope that one day the change will mature into the fulfillment of the most cherished dream: winning the Champions League and proving conclusively that the "new guy" who came to the neighborhood and dared to claim a place of honor in the Hall of Fame cannot be underestimated.
For further reading and listening
- The Football Podcast “Goal” From Babagol and here, Uri Levy talks about French football, and how Paris became the world's largest pool of football talent.
- If you happened to be looking for information about Rob Saint-Germain in Paris, you can find it in the article. Saint-Germain-des-Prés – From an Ancient Monastery to a Church of Reason.