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Breaking Down the Last 4 Champions League Finals
The UEFA Champions League final is finally here. This Saturday, May 31, all eyes will be on Inter and PSG as they face off for the most important club title in Europe.
Inter made it to their seventh final after a thrilling semifinal series against Barcelona that ended with a 7-6 aggregate score. Before that, they knocked out Bayern Munich and Feyenoord. PSG, on the other hand, cruised through Arsenal in the semis, beat Aston Villa and Liverpool in earlier rounds, and crushed Brest 10-0 in the playoff.
It’s Inter’s shot at their fourth Champions League. PSG is seeking its first-ever title.
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To get pumped up for this final, we’re looking back at the past four Champions League winners and the Latino players who played a key role in each.
2021: Chelsea
Chelsea took home the trophy after a close 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the final held at Estádio do Dragão in Portugal. It was a game of strategy with Thomas Tuchel outmaneuvering Pep Guardiola. Kai Havertz scored the lone goal. Chelsea’s squad included two Latino players: Brazilian defender Thiago Silva and Argentine goalkeeper Willy Caballero. Silva had to leave the game early with an injury, but he still celebrated the victory with the team. Caballero didn’t play, but he was part of the winning squad.
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2022: Real Madrid
This final, held in Paris, was packed with drama even before kickoff. The headlines were buzzing with delays from crowd issues, but Real Madrid came through on the field. Liverpool took early control, but Courtois was a brick wall. Then came the magic moment: hailing from Uruguay, Fede Valverde set up Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior for the winning goal. Casemiro, also from Brazil, was still on the team. Madrid claimed their 14th Champions League title, and Vinícius, in his first UCL final, made his mark.
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2023: Manchester City Finally
Pep won the Champions League with Manchester City. They took down Inter with a 1-0 victory in Istanbul, thanks to a goal from Rodri. Ederson, from Brazil, was the MVP of the match, coming up with clutch saves, including a critical one in the last minute that sealed the win. Although Argentine striker Julián Álvarez didn’t see game time in the final, he was part of the squad and got to hoist the trophy. This marked City’s first-ever Champions League title.
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2024: Real Madrid did it again.
In 2024, they beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley. Dani Carvajal scored the first, and then, of course, Vinícius sealed the deal. His left-wing run, his flair, and his finish were pure magic. Alongside him were fellow Brazilians Rodrygo and Eder Militão, and Valverde again running the midfield. Madrid added their 15th Champions League title, and Vini kept proving he’s one of the most clutch players in the world.
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So, who will join this list next? Will it be Inter with their defense-first strategy and Lautaro leading the attack? Or will PSG, with a team that’s finally clicking, take the stage?
One thing’s for sure: Latino players have consistently left their mark on this tournament every year. And Saturday, May 31, might be no different.
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