UEFA Champions League
NEYMAR IS CENTRAL TO PSG’S HOPES OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HONOUR
Paris Saint-Germain’s fortunes in the Champions League have been inextricably linked to those of Neymar, even before they bought the Brazil forward in 2017.
If he maintains his recent form in tomorrow’s final, it may make the difference against a formidable Bayern Munich side.
At 28, Neymar is desperate to get his hands on another Champions League winner’s medal, five years after he won the competition with Barcelona.
It would be good timing for Netflix too, with the streaming service working on a documentary series about his season in Paris, according to reports in Brazil.
For PSG and their Qatari owners, it also would validate their decision to pay a world-record €222 million (S$359 million) to take him from Barca.
His first two seasons in France were overshadowed by injury and constant reports that he was unsettled.
Last summer, there were strong rumours he would be heading back to the Nou Camp, but that move failed to materialise and he is now central to all PSG are doing.
He is happy, too, especially alongside Kylian Mbappe, the world’s second-most expensive player at €185 million.
The France forward said of Neymar: “We are more or less the same age and we have a laugh together off the pitch. We hit it off straight away. We respect each other, we have a lot of fun.
“We are also less focused on ourselves now and more worried about the other guys around us, because we understand that we need everyone else to be able to win.
“We can’t do it with just the two of us.”
Neymar scored in both legs against Borussia Dortmund in the last 16 and cried afterwards.
He was excellent against Atalanta in the quarter-finals and magnificent against RB Leipzig in the semi-finals, even if he did not score in either game.
PSG, who are seeking an unprecedented quadruple after sweeping all three domestic trophies, believe the Brazilian – who has scored 70 times altogether in 84 matches for them – is saving his next goal for the final.
“I hope the good lord will help him score on Sunday and us to win,” said his compatriot Thiago Silva.
-AFP
UEFA Champions League
TikTokers spend 27 hours in stadium toilet to watch Champions League final for free
A pair of Belgian TikTokers say they spent 27 hours in an Allianz Arena toilet last weekend before watching Paris St Germain beat Inter Milan in the Champions League final for free.
Neal Remmerie and Senne Haverbeke told VRT News they managed to get into the Munich stadium the day before the match and hid in a toilet cubicle.
After sticking a homemade “Out of Order” sign on the door, the pair waited in silence for more than a day as stadium staff used the facility.
“We had a backpack with snacks and we played around on our phones to kill time,” Remmerie told the Belgian public broadcaster.
“The lights were on all the time and the sitting position was uncomfortable, so sleeping was almost impossible. That made it physically and mentally difficult.”
Once they heard fans starting to use the toilets on matchday, the pair left their bolthole and made their way past ticket inspectors to join the 86,600 crowd in the stands.
“We looked carefully at which security guard was paying the least attention. While on the phone and with food in our hands, we just walked on, and suddenly we were inside,” Remmerie added.
“PSG won 5-0 and we were also in the supporters’ section of the winning team. It was the most beautiful football match we have ever seen.”
The Allianz Arena and UEFA did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
Those fans who made their way into the match more conventionally had to pay anywhere from 90 to 950 euros ($100-$1,100) for their tickets.
-Reuters
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UEFA Champions League
How Heineken Scored a Five-Star UEFA Champions League Experience for Nigerian Fans
Indeed, it was an evening where football merged with lifestyle. Nigerian music stars Fido and Wande Coal brought their A-game, performing crowd favourites that had fans singing along and dancing well into the night.
Their live performances added vibrant colour to an already electrifying evening, keeping the energy alive after the final whistle.
Hard core fans cut across gender, as displayed by the ladies during the Heineken Watch Party in at the Lagos Continental Hotel last Saturday
Adding star power to the experience was ex-Super Eagles striker Julius Aghahowa, who mingled freely with guests, posed for pictures, and shared expert insight on the game, delighting fans with his presence and personal touch.
“This year’s UEFA Champions League final is not just a match—it’s a cultural moment,” said Maria Shadeko, Portfolio Manager for Premium Beer at Nigerian Breweries. “We’re blending world-class football with unforgettable lifestyle experiences. Through our activities, we’re celebrating the real hardcore fans—the ones who make the game magical from wherever they are.”
Shadeko added that Heineken’s goal is to ensure Nigerian fans feel seen and celebrated. “They may not be in Munich, but they’re just as important to the spirit of the game. That’s why we go all out—every year—to make this night one to remember.”
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The roar of the crowd, the thrill of every shot, and the ultimate victory! Last Saturday night, Pepsi brought the UEFA Champions League 2025 final to life at the Pepsi GoalFest 2025, where PSG dominated Inter Milan in a stunning 5-0 victory, setting a new record for goals in a final.
The Balmoral Event Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos was completely transformed into an electrifying arena, with a dominant wave of the iconic Pepsi blue.
Football fanatics experienced passion like never before. Inside and around the venue, fans engaged in thrilling football-themed games, moved to the beats of electrifying music, and stayed refreshed with Pepsi.
The energy soared as Dj Yk Mule, Mayorkun, and Do2tun delivered show-stopping performances, all powered by Pepsi.
It wasn’t just a game; it was an immersive celebration of football, an unforgettable night where every cheer, every goal, and every moment was refreshed by Pepsi!
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