Paris Saint-Germain FC

Verified Timeline

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, eight 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, winning their first title in 2025 as part of a continental treble, and retaining the title in 2026. PSG also claimed the 2025 UEFA Super Cup and the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, achieving a

In Their Own Story

The timeline of this season was set with the league fixtures announced on 9 July 2020. The competitive journey began in earnest on 24 August 2020, as PSG entered their 51st year of existence aiming to defend their status in the top flight. A major structural change defined the landscape: for the first time since 1995, the club did not compete in the Coupe de la Ligue due to its indefinite suspension. This absence forced a focus on the remaining competitions: Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Trophée des Champions, and the UEFA Champions League. The season concluded on 30 June 2021, closing a chapter that saw the team adapt to life without Cavani and Silva while navigating the European knockout stages.

Reader's Guide

Since their foundation, Paris Saint-Germain have represented both the city of Paris and the nearby royal town of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. As a result, red, blue and white are the club's traditional colours. The red and blue are Parisian colours, a nod to revolutionary figures Lafayette and Jean Sylvain Bailly, 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 fleur de lys is a royal symbol as well and recalls that French King Louis XIV was born in the town. Throughout its history, PSG have brandished several crests, but all of them have featured the club's three historical colours. Likewise, PSG's most distinctive shirts have been predominantly red, blue or white, with the remaining two colours included as well. The club's official mascot, Germain the Lynx, also sports PSG's traditional colours. It was unveiled during the 2010 Tournoi de Paris in commemoration of the club's 40th anniversary, and can be seen entertaining kids in the stands of the Parc des Princes or near the pitch with the players during the warm-up. "Allez Paris!", recorded by Belgian actress and singer Annie Cordy in 1971, was the club's first official anthem. A dedicated PSG supporter from the very beginning, Cordy was part of an association of hundreds of celebrities who contributed to the club's founding in 1970. At that time, an appeal was made to the public to purchase season tickets at newsstands. A year later, Cordy was named PSG's official godmother and recorded the aforementioned anthem. The club's second anthem, "Allez Paris‑Saint‑Germain!" by Les Parisiens, was recorded in 1977, replacing Annie Cordy's original version. It was produced and released by long-time PSG leader and music producer Charles Talar. The chorus became a popular chant among PSG fans during matches. A new version of the anthem, retaining the same title, was recorded in 2010 as part of the club's 40th anniversary celebrations. Performed to the tune of "Go West" by Village People, the lyrics were rewritten with input from the fans. This version serves as the club's current official anthem. "Ô Ville Lumière", set to the tune of "Flower of Scotland", is another official club anthem for PSG fans. This chant was created by

Did You Know?

• PSG was founded in 1970 through the merger of Paris FC and Stade Saint-Germain.
• The club's traditional colours are red, blue, and white, representing Paris and Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
• PSG's first official anthem was 'Allez Paris!' recorded by Annie Cordy in 1971.
• The club's iconic 'Hechter shirt' was first worn in November 1973 against Red Star at the Parc des Princes.
• PSG won its first UEFA Champions League title in 2025 as part of a continental treble.