Paris Saint-Germain’s preparations for the upcoming UEFA Champions League final have faced an unexpected media distraction following a tense exchange between teammates during a public training session.
Goalkeeper Matvey Safonov and defender Illia Zabarnyi were filmed noticeably avoiding a handshake during an internal practice match ahead of their final clash against Arsenal in Budapest on Saturday, May 30. Zabarnyi, a Ukrainian international, has previously stated he maintains strictly professional boundaries with Russian players due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Safonov, who is Russian, has not commented publicly.
Despite the social media storm, PSG head coach Luis Enrique has kept internal focus strictly on the pitch as the club aims to defend the historic maiden title they clinched last season.
Reaching back-to-back Champions League finals is a rare feat in the modern era, with Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid being the only team to retain the crown since the tournament's rebranding.
PSG enter the match as favorites, coming off a dominant 18-month run where they eliminated heavyweights like Manchester City and Bayern Munich. The Parisians have shed their old reputation of overspending on aging superstars like Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe, pivoting instead toward a terrifyingly intense, youthful squad assembled by football advisor Luis Campos.
"We understand that we are the reigning champions and we can win again," winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia told UEFA. "We've proved once more that we can beat any team as long as we play our way."
Arsenal, however, arrive full of confidence after securing their first English Premier League title in 22 years, following a stellar domestic campaign led by Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.
Luis Enrique was quick to praise the tactical discipline of Mikel Arteta’s men. "Without the ball, they are the best team in the world, and with it, they can score a lot," Enrique remarked. "It makes sense that we are facing them in the final."
The reigning champions received a massive boost ahead of the trip to Hungary with superstars Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi returning to full training.
Dembélé, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner who scored 19 goals this season, recovered quickly from a calf injury sustained in domestic action on May 17. Meanwhile, Hakimi has shaken off a thigh problem picked up during the semifinal against Bayern Munich. With both key weapons fully fit, Luis Enrique stands on the precipice of joining the elite ranks of managers with three European Cups.
