French soccer has a storied past in Europe’s most prestigious tournament, the UEFA Champions League. Over the decades, only a handful of clubs from France have managed to carve their names in this elite competition.
As other European powerhouses have lifted the trophy time and again, their challenge has often fallen just short. Still, there is one moment of glory that shines brighter than the rest in the hearts of fans.
A triumph that defied expectations and put a club on the summit of European soccer. And now, as Paris Saint-Germain won the 2025 final, the question lingers: which French team lifted that coveted title before them?
Who was the last French team to win the UEFA Champions League before PSG?
The last French team to win the UEFA Champions League before Paris Saint-Germain, who claimed the title in 2025 after a dominant 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final, was Olympique Marseille. In Munich, PSG ended a 32-year wait for France to see their clubs lift Europe’s most coveted trophy once again.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League Final 2025. (Source: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
The final was held at the Allianz Arena in Munich, where PSG’s young talents took center stage. The 19-year-old midfielder Désiré Doué was instrumental, scoring two goals and assisting another. The team’s tactical discipline and quick transitions left Inter struggling throughout the match.
Achraf Hakimi opened the scoring early, setting the tone for PSG’s performance. The last two goals were scored by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the 73rd minute and Senny Mayulu in the 86th minute.
Before this moment, Olympique Marseille was the last French club to win the Champions League, back in 1993. Since then, despite PSG’s rise as a European powerhouse, the trophy had eluded French soccer.
This victory not only revitalizes their continental ambitions but also inspires future generations. It confirms Paris Saint-Germain’s place among Europe’s elite and adds a fresh layer of glory to the nation’s rich legacy.
