Paris Saint-Germain FC facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Paris Saint-Germain

Full name	Paris Saint-Germain Football Club
Nickname(s)	Les Parisiens (The Parisians) Les Rouge-et-Bleu (The Red-and-Blues)
Short name	PSG, Paris, Paris SG
Founded	12 August 1970; 56 years ago (1970-08-12)
Stadium	Parc des Princes
Stadium capacity	47,929
Owner	Qatar Sports Investments (85.9%) Arctos Partners (12.5%) Boardroom (1.6%)
President	Nasser Al-Khelaifi
Head coach	Luis Enrique
League	Ligue 1
2021–22	Ligue 1, 1st of 20 (champions)
Home colours Away colours

Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, often known simply as PSG or Paris Saint-Germain, is a famous French professional football club. The team is based in the capital city of Paris, France. Founded in 1970, the team plays in Ligue 1, which is the highest division in French football. PSG plays its exciting home matches at the iconic Parc des Princes stadium.

PSG is the most successful football club in French history. The club has won over 60 major competitive trophies. Domestically, the team has claimed a record 14 Ligue 1 championships and 16 Coupe de France titles. On the international stage, PSG has lifted the prestigious UEFA Champions League trophy twice, along with the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

Known for its bright red and deep blue colors, PSG attracts millions of passionate young fans worldwide. Over the decades, many of the greatest athletes in football history have played for Paris Saint-Germain, including Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé.

Complete History of Paris Saint-Germain

PSG became a major global force with famous signings like Neymar.

How the Club Was Founded in 1970

In the late 1960s, the city of Paris lacked a major football team in the first division. To solve this problem, sports leaders decided to merge two existing clubs in the summer of 1970. These clubs were Paris FC and Stade Saint-Germain, a historic team founded in 1904.

The new club was named Paris Saint-Germain Football Club on 12 August 1970. Thousands of enthusiastic local supporters bought shares to help start the team. PSG made an immediate splash by winning the Ligue 2 title in its very first season. This victory earned the club quick promotion to the top flight.

The Early Growth and Move to Parc des Princes

A political split occurred in 1972 between club leaders. As a result, Paris FC stayed in the top tier while PSG was placed in the third division. However, PSG climbed back up quickly. The team earned two promotions in two years.

By 1974, PSG returned to Ligue 1 for good. That same year, the club moved permanently into the Parc des Princes stadium. Fashion designer Daniel Hechter became the club president and designed the team's famous blue jersey with a red center stripe.

Golden Years of the 1980s and 1990s

During the 1980s, PSG captured its very first major titles. Led by star players like Safet Sušić, Dominique Rocheteau, and Luis Fernandez, the team won the Coupe de France in 1982 and 1983. In 1986, Paris won its first-ever Ligue 1 championship.

In 1991, French television company Canal+ bought the club and invested in top international talent. Famous stars such as David Ginola, George Weah, and Brazilian playmaker Raí joined the squad. PSG won another league title in 1994. In 1996, PSG won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, defeating Rapid Wien 1–0 in the final.

Modern Dominance and European Trophies

In 2011, Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) purchased Paris Saint-Germain. The new leadership aimed to turn PSG into one of the best teams in the world. They signed superstars like Zlatan Ibrahimović, Edinson Cavani, Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, and Lionel Messi.

Under this leadership, PSG dominated domestic competitions, winning numerous league titles and domestic cups. PSG achieved its biggest dream by winning the UEFA Champions League in 2025 as part of a historic treble. The club then defended its European title in 2026.

Club Identity, Symbols, and Heritage

Official Team Colours and Mascot

Germain the Lynx, the friendly club mascot.

Paris Saint-Germain represents both the city of Paris and the neighboring royal town of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Because of this dual heritage, the club uses three official colors:

• Blue and Red: Traditional colors of the city of Paris.
• White: A color symbolizing French royalty and Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

The official club mascot is Germain the Lynx. Introduced in 2010 during the club's 40th anniversary, Germain entertains young fans in the stands before kickoff and during halftime.

The Famous Team Shirts

PSG's three most iconic and traditional shirts.

PSG's most famous jersey design is known as the "Hechter shirt." Created by former president Daniel Hechter in 1973, it features a bold red vertical stripe in the center, flanked by two thin white stripes on a navy blue background.

Other famous kits include:

• The Reverse Hechter: A red shirt with a blue central stripe.
• The Borelli Shirt: A clean white shirt with red and blue stripes down the left side, popular during the 1980s.

Crest Evolution Through the Years

The PSG crest has changed several times since 1970. The earliest logo featured a sailing ship, a historical symbol of Paris.

In 1972, the club introduced the classic logo featuring the red Eiffel Tower over a blue circle. Beneath the tower sits a white fleur-de-lis, representing Saint-Germain-en-Laye. In 2013, the crest was modernized with large lettering to prominently highlight the name "PARIS."

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  1970–1972

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  1972–1982
  1990–1992

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  1982–1990

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  1992–1996

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  1996–2002

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  2002–2013

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  2013–Present

Anthems, Mottos, and Chants

PSG fans sing many spirited chants during matches. The most famous fan slogans are:

• "Ici, c'est Paris!" ("This is Paris!")
• "Paris est magique!" ("Paris is magical!")

When the players walk onto the pitch at the Parc des Princes, the energetic song "Who Said I Would" by Phil Collins plays over the loudspeakers.

Home Stadium and Training Facilities

The Historic Parc des Princes

The Parc des Princes stadium in Paris.

The Parc des Princes is one of the most famous football stadiums in Europe. It has been the permanent home ground of PSG since 1974. The stadium holds nearly 48,000 cheering fans.

The stadium is known for its incredible acoustics and energetic atmosphere. The highest attendance for a PSG match was set on 13 March 1983, when 49,575 fans watched PSG play Waterschei in a European cup match.

Campus PSG Training Center

In 2023, PSG opened its state-of-the-art training ground called Campus PSG in Poissy. This modern facility includes:

• Multiple pristine natural and hybrid grass pitches.
• High-tech fitness centers and sports science labs.
• Housing and classrooms for the youth academy players.
• Training grounds for the women's football, handball, and judo teams.

Before 2023, the club trained at the historic Camp des Loges in Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

Major Records and Notable Statistics

Trophies won by PSG on display.

PSG holds numerous French football records:

• Most Ligue 1 Titles: 14 league championships.
• Most Coupe de France Wins: 16 tournament victories.
• Top Goalscorer: Kylian Mbappé scored over 250 goals for the club.
• Most Appearances: Brazilian defender Marquinhos has played the most official games.
• Most Assists: Ángel Di María leads the club in career assists.

Season-by-Season Achievements

PSG lineup before an important European match.

PSG has played in Ligue 1 for more than 50 consecutive seasons, which is an all-time record for French football. In the 2015–16 season, the team set a record by earning 96 points in a single league campaign. In 2025, PSG achieved a historic continental treble by winning Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the UEFA Champions League in the same season.

PSG in European and International Football

Safet Sušić was one of PSG's early European stars.

PSG is the most decorated French club in international football competitions. The team has won several major European and worldwide honors:

• UEFA Champions League: 2024–25, 2025–26
• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1995–96
• UEFA Super Cup: 2025, 2026
• UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2001
• FIFA Intercontinental Cup: 2025

PSG has played against top European powerhouses including Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City.

Passionate Fans and Club Rivalries

Fan Culture and Supporter Groups

PSG fans cheering during a cup final.

Paris Saint-Germain has one of the largest fanbases in world sports. The most vocal supporters sit in the Auteuil and Boulogne stands at the Parc des Princes.

The main organized supporters group is the Collectif Ultras Paris (CUP). They create colorful displays, known as tifos, and sing songs throughout all 90 minutes of every match to motivate the team.

Le Classique: The Big Rivalry with Marseille

PSG facing rivals Marseille at the Parc des Princes.

The biggest rivalry in French football is contested between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille. This intense clash is called Le Classique (or "The Classic").

This rivalry represents the clash between the two largest cities in France: Paris in the north and Marseille in the south. Matches between the two teams are famous for high drama, intense competition, and huge television audiences.

The Paris Derby

PSG competing at the highest level in 2001.

The Paris derby is played between PSG and cross-town rivals Paris FC. The stadiums of the two clubs are located right next to each other in Paris, separated by only a few hundred meters. This creates a thrilling local rivalry whenever the two teams play.

Ownership, Management, and Finances

Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and Neymar together at PSG.

Paris Saint-Germain was originally formed as a fan-owned association in 1970. Over the years, the club was managed by various business groups, including Canal+ and Colony Capital.

Since 2011, the majority of the club has been owned by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), led by club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. Minor stakes are owned by Arctos Partners and Boardroom. Under this leadership, PSG has become one of the wealthiest and most valuable sports teams in the world, generating significant revenue through ticket sales, sponsorships, and merchandise.

Complete List of Trophies and Honours

First-Team Squad and Staff

Current First-Team Players

No. Position Player 2 DF Achraf Hakimi (vice-captain) 4 DF Lucas Beraldo 5 DF Marquinhos (captain) 6 DF Illia Zabarnyi 7 FW Khvicha Kvaratskhelia 8 MF Fabián Ruiz 9 FW Ferran Torres 10 FW Ousmane Dembélé (4th captain) 11 MF Maghnes Akliouche 12 DF Lucas Digne 14 FW Désiré Doué 16 GK Alessandro Longoni

No. Position Player 17 MF Vitinha (3rd captain) 21 DF Lucas Hernandez 22 FW Mika Godts 24 MF Senny Mayulu 25 DF Nuno Mendes 27 MF Dro Fernández 30 GK Lucas Chevalier 33 MF Warren Zaïre-Emery 39 GK Matvey Safonov 47 FW Quentin Ndjantou 51 DF Willian Pacho 87 MF João Neves

Players Out on Loan

No. Position Player GK Renato Marin (at CD Nacional) DF Naoufel El Hannach (at Montpellier) DF Yoram Zague (at Pafos)

No. Position Player MF Gabriel Moscardo (at Espanyol) FW Khalil Ayari (at Dunkerque)

Leadership and Coaching Staff

Other Sports and Sections at PSG

Paris Saint-Germain Women's Team

PSG operates a top-tier women's football team founded in 1971. The team plays in the Première Ligue and has won the French league title and multiple French Cup trophies. They are regular contenders in the UEFA Women's Champions League.

Youth Academy: Developing Future Stars

The PSG Youth Academy trains promising young boys and girls to become professional athletes. The academy has developed world-class talent, including Kingsley Coman, Adrien Rabiot, Presnel Kimpembe, Warren Zaïre-Emery, and Marie-Antoinette Katoto.

Handball, Esports, and Judo

• Paris Saint-Germain Handball: One of Europe's top professional handball clubs, winning numerous domestic league titles.
• Paris Saint-Germain Judo: A competitive judo team led by legendary French Olympic champion Teddy Riner.
• PSG Esports: A gaming division competing in video game tournaments like EA Sports FC and other popular titles worldwide.

Images for kids

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  PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi

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  Head Coach Luis Enrique

See also

In Spanish: Paris Saint-Germain Football Club para niños