Mbaye part of PSG history as UEFA rules confirm UCL winner status

Ibrahim Mbaye has been officially confirmed as a UEFA Champions League winner after Paris Saint-Germain’s victory over Arsenal in Saturday’s final in Budapest, despite not playing a single minute in the match.

PSG defeated Arsenal 1-1 (4-3 aet) at the Ferenc Puskás Stadium to secure their second consecutive Champions League title, further strengthening their position among Europe’s elite clubs.

Although Mbaye remained an unused substitute in the final, UEFA regulations still recognise him as part of the winning squad.

The 18-year-old Senegalese winger was included on PSG’s official matchday squad for the final and had already played a role earlier in the campaign.

He made four appearances in the Champions League group stage, which meets UEFA’s requirement for eligibility for a winner’s medal.

Under UEFA rules, players do not need to feature in the final itself to be crowned champions, as long as they have been registered in the competition and made at least one appearance during the season.

Mbaye therefore qualifies comfortably, having contributed during PSG’s run to the final.

This means the teenager is now a two-time Champions League winner with PSG, having also been part of last season’s triumph.

At just 18 years old, Mbaye’s early career already includes an impressive collection of trophies as part of a dominant PSG side.

His involvement across multiple competitions has seen him accumulate both domestic and international honours.

The victory over Arsenal was a closely contested final, with PSG eventually sealing the win after extra time.

The result confirmed back-to-back European titles for the French champions.

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Mubarak Haruna
Mubarak Haruna is an emerging force in African football journalism, recognised for his speed, accuracy and ability to break major stories. He specialises in breaking news, match coverage and multimedia storytelling across radio, television and digital platforms.He holds a degree in Journalism from the Ghana Institute of Journalism and has developed his craft within some of Ghana’s leading media organisations. Mubarak has worked with the Multimedia Group, where he served as a sports radio and television presenter at Joy FM, while also contributing as a writer for Myjoyonline.com.Known for his sharp instincts and ability to deliver timely football stories, Mubarak has gained growing recognition for his impactful reporting and dedication to the profession.He is currently the Deputy Managing Editor of African.Football, where he plays a key role in driving editorial operations, breaking major stories and supporting the platform’s mission to deliver fast, reliable and high-quality African football content to a global audience.

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