Les Ultras Paris

Lore & Background

Paris Saint-Germain were founded in 1970 following the merger of Paris FC and Stade Saint-Germain. PSG made an immediate impact, winning Ligue 2 and thus achieving promotion to Ligue 1 in their first season. PSG's momentum was soon halted, and the club split in 1972. Paris FC remained in the top flight, while PSG were relegated to Division 3. After two consecutive promotions, PSG quickly returned to the top flight in 1974 and moved to the Parc des Princes. The club's first trophies arrived in the 1980s. Led by players such as Safet Sušić, Luis Fernandez and Dominique Rocheteau, the Parisians claimed back-to-back Coupe de France in 1982 and 1983, and their first Ligue 1 title in 1986. A steep decline followed, but the takeover by Canal+ in 1991 revitalized PSG. Led by David Ginola, George Weah and Raí, the club won nine trophies and reached five consecutive European semi-finals during the 1990s. Notably, Paris captured their second league title in 1994 and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1996, with the legendary Luis Fernandez now as manager. At the beginning of the 21st century, the Parisians were struggling to get back to the top despite the magic of Ronaldinho and the goals of Pauleta. Five more trophies followed: three Coupe de France, a Coupe de la Ligue and a UEFA Intertoto Cup, but PSG became better known for struggling through one crisis after another. Inevitably, Canal+ sold the club to Colony Capital in 2006. However, the situation only worsened, and PSG spent the next two seasons avoiding relegation. The club's fortunes changed dramatically with the arrival of Qatar Sports Investments, operated by the government of Qatar, as owners in 2011. Since then, PSG have invested heavily in signings of world-class players such as Zlatan Ibrahimović, Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, the latter two being the most expensive transfers in football history. As a result, PSG have dominated French football, winning 38 trophies: twelve league titles, fourteen Coupe de France, six Coupe de la Ligue and twelve Trophée des Champions. They have also become a regular in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, reaching the final for the first time in their history in 2020, though as of 2024 they have yet to win the competition.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Parc des Princes is thick with anticipation before kickoff against Marseille. In the north stand, the silence is heavy, broken only by the rustle of fabric and the low hum of hundreds of voices tuning their drums. Suddenly, a flare ignites, casting an orange glow over sea-and-blue flags that ripple like water in the wind. A single drumbeat starts, then another, until the rhythm becomes a thunderous heartbeat that shakes the concrete bleachers. As the first note of 'Allez Paris Saint-Germain' rises, thousands of voices merge into one deafening roar, drowning out the opposing fans and sending a wave of energy crashing down onto the grass pitch.

Reader's Guide

PSG's home matches are played at the Parc des Princes. The club's traditional colours are red, blue and white. The red and blue are Parisian colours, and the white is a symbol of French royalty and Saint-Germain-en-Laye. On the club's crest, the Eiffel Tower in red and the blue background represent Paris, while the fleur de lys in white is a hint to the coat of arms of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The club's official mascot is Germain the Lynx, unveiled during the 2010 Tournoi de Paris. The club's current official anthem is 'Allez Paris‑Saint‑Germain!' performed to the tune of 'Go West' by Village People. Other notable chants include 'Ô Ville Lumière', 'Le Parc est à nous', 'Ici, c'est Paris', and 'Paris est magique'. 'Who Said I Would' by Phill Collins has accompanied the players' entrance onto the field since 1992. The club's most iconic mottos are 'Ici, c'est Paris' and 'Paris est magique'. The traditional home kit, designed by Daniel Hechter in 1973, is a blue shirt with a red vertical stripe flanked by two thinner white stripes.

Did You Know?

• PSG was founded in 1970 through the merger of Paris FC and Stade Saint-Germain.
• The club has won a record 12 Ligue 1 titles, 14 Coupes de France, 9 Coupes de la Ligue, and 12 Trophée des Champions as of 2024.