Following a standout season with Paris Saint-Germain, Warren Zaïre-Emery found himself on the bench for the Champions League final against Arsenal. Despite his impressive contributions throughout the campaign, Luis Enrique opted for Achraf Hakimi and Fabian Ruiz in his starting lineup, an unexpected decision that left many questioning the young midfielder’s future at the club.
In the same configuration as last year’s victorious final against Inter Milan, PSG’s coach fielded nearly an identical starting XI, with only Matvey Safonov missing. Yet, it was Zaïre-Emery who paid the price for these tactical choices. The 20-year-old international has become a key figure for the team, making his absence from the first eleven even more puzzling.
Could a move away from PSG be on the cards for Zaïre-Emery?
Observers suggest that Zaïre-Emery’s situation might push him to reconsider his future at PSG. A commentator noted, « Players like Warren Zaïre-Emery, who deliver strong performances yet find themselves sidelined, may start contemplating a move to secure regular playing time. At his age, young talents often seek opportunities where they can be starters rather than substitutes. » He added, « He has proven he can start anywhere in Europe. His lack of minutes wasn’t due to a lack of skill but rather tactical decisions—Hakimi and Ruiz were simply preferred when available. »
Luis Enrique admits Zaïre-Emery was treated unfairly
In the post-match press conference, Luis Enrique acknowledged the midfielder’s plight, stating, « We must celebrate this achievement—it’s a dream come true. But I owe it to Warren Zaïre-Emery to say we’ve been unfair to him as a coach. He’s shown incredible character, and it was unjust to leave him out of the starting lineup. However, he stepped up professionally and delivered a memorable impact when he entered the game. The match was tough, especially against an Arsenal side that defended deep, displayed technical and physical dominance, but we improved in the second half. Completing back-to-back titles is an extraordinary feat—one to be extremely proud of. »
