Parisian nation team in World Cup 2018
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for the club. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for the club. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.
The club was formed in 1970 by the merger of Paris FC and Stade Saint-Germain. Having won 40 titles in its history, PSG is the most successful club in French football. The Parisian side is also one of only two French clubs to win a European title. Domestically, PSG have won six Ligue 1 titles, a record ten Coupes de France, a record six Coupes de la Ligue, six Trophées des Champions and one Ligue 2 title. In international club football, Paris have won one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and one UEFA Intertoto Cup.
The arrival of Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Oryx Qatar Sports Investments (QSi) in 2011 made dramatic chances for the club. The takeover made Paris Saint-Germain the richest club in France and one of the wealthiest in the world. Before their arrival, PSG only won 2 league titles. Since then, they had won 7 more at the time of writing.
The arrival of Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Oryx Qatar Sports Investments (QSi) in 2011 made dramatic chances for the club. The takeover made Paris Saint-Germain the richest club in France and one of the wealthiest in the world. Before their arrival, PSG only won 2 league titles. Since then, they had won 7 more at the time of writing.
Team
GK: Bernard Lama (France)
Lama left Guiana in 1981 to come to Franceto become a professional footballer. He started with Lille, but also played in Brest and Metz. In 1992, he joined PSG, where he found stardom. He won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1996. After a brief career with West Ham and Rennes, he retired. Capped 44 times. He was mainly a backup throughout his NT career. He was on the team that won the WC in 1998.
GK: Bernard Lama (France)
Lama left Guiana in 1981 to come to Franceto become a professional footballer. He started with Lille, but also played in Brest and Metz. In 1992, he joined PSG, where he found stardom. He won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1996. After a brief career with West Ham and Rennes, he retired. Capped 44 times. He was mainly a backup throughout his NT career. He was on the team that won the WC in 1998.
GK: Joel Bats (France)
Joel Bats earned 50 caps for France between 1983 and 1989. He was the starting keeper for France during its Euro 1984 winning campaign at home, and then, the World Cup Finals in 1986, where he saved penalties against both Socrates and Zico in the shootout victory over Brazil in the quarterfinal. He played first with Sochaux. He later played with Auxerre and Paris St.Germain. He spent 7 seasons in Paris.
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy)
Donnarumma began his career with AC Milan in 2015, becoming the second-youngest goalkeeper ever to debut in Serie A, aged 16 years and 242 days. He was also named Serie A's Best Goalkeeper of the Year, IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper and also won the Yashin Trophy. He moved to PSG in 2021, where he won the Champions League as part of a treble in 2025. He was Italy's youngest international goalkeeper. He won the 2020 European Championship while winning the MVP award.
Joel Bats earned 50 caps for France between 1983 and 1989. He was the starting keeper for France during its Euro 1984 winning campaign at home, and then, the World Cup Finals in 1986, where he saved penalties against both Socrates and Zico in the shootout victory over Brazil in the quarterfinal. He played first with Sochaux. He later played with Auxerre and Paris St.Germain. He spent 7 seasons in Paris.
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Joel Bats |
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy)
Donnarumma began his career with AC Milan in 2015, becoming the second-youngest goalkeeper ever to debut in Serie A, aged 16 years and 242 days. He was also named Serie A's Best Goalkeeper of the Year, IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper and also won the Yashin Trophy. He moved to PSG in 2021, where he won the Champions League as part of a treble in 2025. He was Italy's youngest international goalkeeper. He won the 2020 European Championship while winning the MVP award.
RB: Christophe Jallet (France)
During his career, he played for Niort, Lorient, Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon, Nice and Amiens. His best known career was with PSG where he played between 2009 and 2014. He was named on the Ligue 1 Team of the Year twice for the 2012–13 and 2014–15 season. He played a total of 16 matches for the France national team. between 2012 and 2017. He went to the 2016 European Championship, where France finished second.
RB: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
Achraf Hakimi came through Real Madrid's youth academy, but he first made a name with Borussia Dortmund. He later played for Inter Milan for a season. In 2021, he joined PSG in France. He won the Lion d'Or African Footballer of the Year in 2019. Born in Spain, he was eligible to play for them, but he chose Morocco. He played for them at the 2018 World Cup Finals.
CB: Ricardo Gomez (Brazil)
Ricardo Gomez started his career with Fluminense at home before joining Benfica in 1988. He would then join Paris St.Germaine in 1991. He went to play in Italia 1990, where Brazil was known for their defensive tactics. In 1994, he was selected as the captain for the 1994 World Cup Finals in the USA. However, he was injured at the last minute and did not attend the World Cuo Finals.
CB: Thiago Silva (Brazil)
Thiago Silva became the most expensive defender in history when he moved from Milan to Paris St. Germain. Before moving to play in Europe, he played for Juventude and Fluminense in Brazil. He was a key player as Fluminense to the Final of Copa Libertadores in 2008. For the national team, he was the captain of Brazil ill-fated team in World Cup 2014, but did not play against Germany in the semifinal. He also went to the World Cup Finals in both 2010 and 2018
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Thiago Silva |
CB: Marquinhos (Brazil)
Marquinhos began his career at Corinthians, and after winning the 2012 Copa Libertadores he moved to Roma. In 2013, he moved to PSG. In 2025, he captained PSG to their first ever Champions League title. He ranks top for all-time appearances for the club. He made his full international debut for Brazil in 2013. He subsequently took part in two World Cups (2018 and 2022) and three Copas América (2019, 2021 and 2024), winning the 2019 title.CB: Jean-Marc Pilorget (France)
Jean-Marc Pilorget was born Paris, where he played mainly for his hometown Paris St Germain between 1975 and 1989, except for loan seasons with Cannes and a season at the end of his career with Guingamp and Saint-Raphaël. He is the all-time leader in appearance for Paris Saint-Germain, with 370 matches. He also won the league title with his club in 1986.
Jean-Marc Pilorget was born Paris, where he played mainly for his hometown Paris St Germain between 1975 and 1989, except for loan seasons with Cannes and a season at the end of his career with Guingamp and Saint-Raphaël. He is the all-time leader in appearance for Paris Saint-Germain, with 370 matches. He also won the league title with his club in 1986.
LB: Maxwell (Brazil)
Maxwell came through the ranks at Cruzeiro and played for Ajax, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, winning trophies for each of these clubs. He was the most decorated active footballer in Europe at the time of his retirement, with 30 official titles. He made his international debut with Brazil in 2013 and appeared at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. he had a total of 10 caps.
LB: Gabriel Heinze (Argentina)
Nicknamed Gringo, Gabriel Heinze made a name for himself at Paris Saint-Germain, moving in 2004 to Manchester United and subsequently to Real Madrid, winning four trophies with the latter two clubs. He started and finished his 18-year professional career with Newell's Old Boys. Heinze played 72 times with Argentina between 2003 and 2010, representing the nation at two World Cups (2006 and 2010) and as many Copa América tournaments.
CM/DM: Luis Fernandez (France)
Born in Spain, Luis Fernandez moved to France when he was 4 years old. He started at PSG, where he played most of his career. He also played for Racing Club and Cannes. At the international level, he was capped 60 times. He was a star midfielder during France's run at Euro 1984. He was a member of the great French midfield known as the "magic square" playing alongside with Jean Tigana, Alain Giresse and Michel Platini.
LB: Gabriel Heinze (Argentina)
Nicknamed Gringo, Gabriel Heinze made a name for himself at Paris Saint-Germain, moving in 2004 to Manchester United and subsequently to Real Madrid, winning four trophies with the latter two clubs. He started and finished his 18-year professional career with Newell's Old Boys. Heinze played 72 times with Argentina between 2003 and 2010, representing the nation at two World Cups (2006 and 2010) and as many Copa América tournaments.
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Gabriel Heinze |
Born in Spain, Luis Fernandez moved to France when he was 4 years old. He started at PSG, where he played most of his career. He also played for Racing Club and Cannes. At the international level, he was capped 60 times. He was a star midfielder during France's run at Euro 1984. He was a member of the great French midfield known as the "magic square" playing alongside with Jean Tigana, Alain Giresse and Michel Platini.
DM/CM: Blaise Matuidi (France)
Blaise Matuidi began his career with Troyes before joining AS Saint-Étienne. From 2011 to 2017, he played for Paris St Germain. In 2017, he joined Juventus. In 2020, he joined Inter Miami. At the time of writing, he has represented France at the European Championship of 2012 and 2016 as well as the World Cup Finals in 2014 and 2018. He has 84 caps.
Blaise Matuidi began his career with Troyes before joining AS Saint-Étienne. From 2011 to 2017, he played for Paris St Germain. In 2017, he joined Juventus. In 2020, he joined Inter Miami. At the time of writing, he has represented France at the European Championship of 2012 and 2016 as well as the World Cup Finals in 2014 and 2018. He has 84 caps.
CM: Marco Verratti (Italy)
Verratti began his career with Pescara in 2008. In 2012, he transferred to PSG, where he won a then-record 9 Ligue 1 titles. He ranks third for all-time appearances for the club. He the playd in Qatar for Al-Arabi. At international level, he represented his country at the 2014 FIFA World Cup[4] and UEFA Euro 2020, winning the latter tournament. In total, he had 55 caps between 2012 and 2023.
CM: Vitinha (Portugal)
Coming through Porto's youth system, Vitinha was promoted to the first-team in 2020. He was loaned to Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 2020. He played for Porto before joining PSG in 2022. In 2025, he helped them to win the Champions' League. He made his debut for the national team in 2022. He won the Nations' League in 2025.
RW: Dominique Rocheteau (France)
Dominique Rocheteau was a member of the Saint Etienne of the late 1970's, where they reached the 1976 European Cup Final playing against Bayern Munich. He moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 1980 with whom he won one Division 1 title and two Coupes de France. He also played for Toulouse FC. For France, he had 49 caps. He was a member of the Golden Generation that won the European Championship in 1984 and playing in the World Cup Finals in 1978, 1982 and 1986.
RW/FW: Ousmane Dembele (France)
Dominique Rocheteau was a member of the Saint Etienne of the late 1970's, where they reached the 1976 European Cup Final playing against Bayern Munich. He moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 1980 with whom he won one Division 1 title and two Coupes de France. He also played for Toulouse FC. For France, he had 49 caps. He was a member of the Golden Generation that won the European Championship in 1984 and playing in the World Cup Finals in 1978, 1982 and 1986.
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Dominique Rocheteau |
Dembélé began his career at Rennes. In 2016, he transferred to Borussia Dortmund. He joined Barcelona in 2017 for an initial fee of €105 million, making him at the time the joint-second most expensive player in history. In 2023, he joined PSG. In the 2024–25 season, he won a continental treble. He was named Ligue 1 Player of the Year and UEFA Champions Player of the Season. He started his international career for France in 2016. He was a member of the squad that won the 2018 World Cup.
FW/LWF: Kylian Mbappé (France)
Mbappe was a well-known youth player in France before making his senior debut with AS Monaco in 2015. He quickly established himself as one of the best young players in the world. In the summer of 2017, he joined PSG. Then, in 2024, he made a move to Real Madrid. In 2017, he made his national team debut, becoming the second youngest ever French international. He would win the 2018 World Cup Finals and led them to the Final 4 years later.
Mbappe was a well-known youth player in France before making his senior debut with AS Monaco in 2015. He quickly established himself as one of the best young players in the world. In the summer of 2017, he joined PSG. Then, in 2024, he made a move to Real Madrid. In 2017, he made his national team debut, becoming the second youngest ever French international. He would win the 2018 World Cup Finals and led them to the Final 4 years later.
AM: Rai (Brazil)
Rai was noted playing for São Paulo and Paris Saint-Germain, winning 10 major titles with the two teams combined and nearing the 100-goal mark. He won two Libertadores Cup 1992 and 1993, and the Cup Winners' Cup. He is the younger brother of Brazilian footballer Sócrates. At the international level, he was capped 45 times. He was the captain of the National Team at USA 1994, but he was used mainly as a substitute at the latter stage of the Finals. Dunga became the captain.
AM/LM: Ronaldinho (Brazil)
From 1999 to 2013, Ronaldinho played 97 times for Brazil. He was a member of the "Three R's" with Rivaldo and Ronaldo that helped Brazil winning the World Cup in 2002. At the club level, he started his career with Gemio before moving to Europe. He played with Paris St Germaine and Barcelona before his form started to drop. He formed the REM line with Etoo and Messi before fighting among them destroyed the team. In 2013, he won the Copa Libertadores with Atlético Mineiro.
Rai was noted playing for São Paulo and Paris Saint-Germain, winning 10 major titles with the two teams combined and nearing the 100-goal mark. He won two Libertadores Cup 1992 and 1993, and the Cup Winners' Cup. He is the younger brother of Brazilian footballer Sócrates. At the international level, he was capped 45 times. He was the captain of the National Team at USA 1994, but he was used mainly as a substitute at the latter stage of the Finals. Dunga became the captain.
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Rai |
From 1999 to 2013, Ronaldinho played 97 times for Brazil. He was a member of the "Three R's" with Rivaldo and Ronaldo that helped Brazil winning the World Cup in 2002. At the club level, he started his career with Gemio before moving to Europe. He played with Paris St Germaine and Barcelona before his form started to drop. He formed the REM line with Etoo and Messi before fighting among them destroyed the team. In 2013, he won the Copa Libertadores with Atlético Mineiro.
AM: Safet Sušić (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
He was one of the greatest Yugoslavian players. He played for FK Sarajevo, Paris Saint-Germain and Red Star Saint-Ouen and internationally for Yugoslavia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He was voted Paris Saint-Germain's best player of all time and the best foreign player of Ligue 1 of all time by France Football. He represented the nation at the 1982 and 1990 World Cups, and at Euro 1984.
AM/FW: George Weah (Liberia)
In terms of individual awards, no African player wins more awards than George Weah. He was was named FIFA World Player of the Year and won the Ballon d'Or in 1995. He won African Footballer of the Year: 1989, 1994, 1995. He was voted African Player of the Century in 1996. He had great careers with AC Milan where he won two Serie A titles. He also played for Monaco, PSG, Chelsea, etc. In 2017, Weah was elected as the President of Liberia.
ST: Edinson Cavani (Uruguay)
With Napoli, Cavani was the Serie A top scorer in the 2012-2013 season. He moved to Paris St Germain in 2013, where the club dominated French football. At the time of writing, he is the club's all-time leading scorer. For Uruguay, he earned over 100 caps starting in 2008. He helped Uruguay to reach the semifinal in the 2010 World Cup Finals and won the Copa America in 2011.He also played in 2014 and 2018 World Cup Finals.
ST: Pedro Pauleta (Portugal)
Pedro Pauleta never played in the Primeira Liga, having spent most of his career in Spain and France. He had his most successful spell at Paris Saint-Germain, where he was 3 times the top goalscorer in Ligue 1, he was also voted twice as the division's player of the season. Pauleta also scored 47 goals in 88 matches for Portugal, a national record at the time of his retirement. He played for his country in two World Cups and two European Championships.
In terms of individual awards, no African player wins more awards than George Weah. He was was named FIFA World Player of the Year and won the Ballon d'Or in 1995. He won African Footballer of the Year: 1989, 1994, 1995. He was voted African Player of the Century in 1996. He had great careers with AC Milan where he won two Serie A titles. He also played for Monaco, PSG, Chelsea, etc. In 2017, Weah was elected as the President of Liberia.
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George Weah |
With Napoli, Cavani was the Serie A top scorer in the 2012-2013 season. He moved to Paris St Germain in 2013, where the club dominated French football. At the time of writing, he is the club's all-time leading scorer. For Uruguay, he earned over 100 caps starting in 2008. He helped Uruguay to reach the semifinal in the 2010 World Cup Finals and won the Copa America in 2011.He also played in 2014 and 2018 World Cup Finals.
ST: Pedro Pauleta (Portugal)
Pedro Pauleta never played in the Primeira Liga, having spent most of his career in Spain and France. He had his most successful spell at Paris Saint-Germain, where he was 3 times the top goalscorer in Ligue 1, he was also voted twice as the division's player of the season. Pauleta also scored 47 goals in 88 matches for Portugal, a national record at the time of his retirement. He played for his country in two World Cups and two European Championships.
ST: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Swden)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was born in Sweden of Bosnian-Croat origin. He won Sweden Player of the Year 11 times. He was the Serie A Player of the Year for 5 times. He played with Malmo, Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris St.Germain, Manchester United and LA Galaxy. He is currently the second-most decorated active footballer in the world, having won 32 trophies in his career. At the time of writing, he has over 116 caps. He is the all-time leading scorer for Sweden.
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic |
Keylor Navas (Costa Rica), Salvatore Sirigu (Italy), Camille Choquier (France), Dominique Baratelli (France), Alain Roche (France), Mario Yepes (Colombia), Mauricio Pochettino (Argentina), Philippe Jeannol (France), Presnel Kimpembe (France), Antoine Kombouaré (France), Dani Alves (Brazil), Michel Bibard (France), Grégory van der Wiel (Netherlands), Laurent Fournier (France), Bernard Mendy (France), Serge Aurier (Ivory Coast), Sylvain Armand (France), Nuno Mendes (Portugal), Layvin Kurzawa (France), Patrick Colleter (France), Jean Djorkaeff (France), Dominique Bathenay (France), Thiago Motta (Brazil/Italy), Leonardo (Brazil), Jean-Pierre Dogliani (France), , Blaise Matuidi (France), Daniel Bravo (France), Vincent Guérin (France), Mickaël Landreau, Eric Renaut (France), Youri Djorkaeff (France), Jay Jay Okocha (Nigeria), David Ginola (France), Laurent Robert (France), Angel Di Maria (Argentina), Marco Simone (Italy), François M'Pelé (Congo)
Squad Explanation
-- The original team was created in November 2025. I updated this team on June 2025 almost immediately after PSG clinched their first Champions' league title in 2025.
-- The arrival of Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Oryx Qatar Sports Investments (QSi) made dramatic chances for the club. At the time of writing, only a few players made my team. In the future, many more from the new generation will make this team. PSG can afford better players and win more trophies.
-- Keylor Navas was one of the key players in the run to the Champions' League Final in 2020 and the semi-final the following year. He was well-liked in Paris. Salvatore Sirigu had won many trophies for the team. I credited him for that. Camille Choquier was the first ever goalkeeper of the club after the merger of Paris FC and Stade Saint-Germain in 1970. I also looked into Dominique Baratelli. He played for PSG between 1978 and 1985.
-- Before Ibrahimović, Mustapha Dahleb was PSG’s record scorer—a milestone that highlighted his influence in the club’s early years, but I could not find space for him. He was more of an attack midfielder.
-- Completing the forward line is Pauleta, the clinical striker who was mentioned numerous times among PSG's greatest players. He was three times the top goalscorer in Ligue 1 and was also voted twice as the division's player of the season.
-- To mark Paris Saint-Germain’s 50th anniversary, the club held a special vote to determine the greatest player in PSG history. Rai was voted the best player in PSG history The ranking was: 1) Rai, 2) Safet Sušić, 3) Ronaldinho, 4) Zlatan Ibrahimović, 5) Pauleta, 7) Neymar Jr., 8) George Weah, 9) Bernard Lama, 10) Edinson Cavani and 11) Kylian Mbappé
-- In 2023, Goal.com released its ranking of the 25 Greatest PSG players of all time: 1) Kylian Mbappé, 2) Zlatan Ibrahimović, 3) Neymar, 4) Edinson Cavani, 5) Thiago Silva, 6) Marquinhos, 7) Pauleta, 8) Marco Verratti, 9) Ángel Di María, 10) Blaise Matuidi, 11) Thiago Motta, 12) Keylor Navas, 13) Maxwell, 14) Achraf Hakimi, 15) Presnel Kimpembe, 16) Javier Pastore, 17) Jay-Jay Okocha, 18) Gabriel Heinze, 19) Ronaldinho, 20) Gianluigi Donnarumma, 21) Ezequiel Lavezzi, 22) Christophe Jallet, 23) Lionel Messi, 24) Nenê, 25) Salvatore Sirigu.
-- In 2025, Onze Mondial unveiled their All-Time Paris Saint-Germain XI, featuring the following players: Bernard Lama, Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Maxwell, Luis Fernandez, Rai, Safet Susic, Ousmane Dembélé, Pedro Miguel Pauleta, and Zlatan Ibrahimović.-- A fan survey conducted by L'Équipe led to the creation of their own Legendary PSG XI. The lineup included: Bernard Lama, Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Maxwell, Blaise Matuidi, Luis Fernandez, Rai, Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Kylian Mbappé.
-- Live Foot France also came up with their own All-Time Best XI, which consisted of: Bernard Lama, Dani Alves, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Maxwell, Marco Verratti, Luis Fernandez, Safet Susic, Edinson Cavani, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Kylian Mbappé.
-- The 1996 Cup Winners' Cup victory is their only European victory. it is one of the two trophies won by a French club in Europe. Rai was probably their best player in that generation.
Goalkeepers |
-- Bernard Lama was a key player during PSG's Golden years in the mid-1990's. He won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1996. Joël Bats was PSG';s starting goalkeeper between 1985 and 1992 before the emerge of Lama. He helped PSG win their first French championship title in 1986. The two of them were known as PSG's greatest goalkeepers before Qatar's takeover of the club.
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Bernard Lama |
-- Gianluigi Donnarumma was awarded the Yashin Award in 2021, but for his performance before he came to Paris. However, he was a hero of the 2025 Champions' League winning campaign. He saved two penalties against Liverpool during the a penalty shootout in the knockout stage. He was also named on the Team of the Season. He had suppressed Keylor Navas, Salvatore Sirigu and Dominique Baratelli in Paris to be on the team.
Defenders
-- Thiago Silva led the number of matches played as the PSG captain and 7th in appearance record overall. He also represented the new era under Nasser Al-Khelaifi. He had played for PSG from 2012 to 2020.
Marquinhos is now PSG's All-Time appearance leader. He also captained their 2025 Champions' League winning team. He was named on the UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year and Champions League Team of the Season many times.
-- Jean-Marc Pilorget was the all-time appearance leader with the club before Maruinhos broke his record in 2024. He represented the eras before Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
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Jean-Marc Pilorget |
-- The final central defender spot comes down to a choice between Alain Roche and Ricardo Gomes, who once partnered together at the heart of the defence. They won the league in the 1993-1994 season. For the pre-Qatar poeriod, it was an important title. Roche played longer than Gomes in Paris and was more decorated, but I took Gomes who was a more famous player.
-- I also looked into Mario Yepes, Mauricio Pochettino, Philippe Jeannol and Presnel Kimpembe.
--Antoine Kombouaré became a cult hero among PSG fans for his habit of scoring last-minute winning goals, His nickname was "Casque d'Or" (The Golden Helmet).
-- After the 2025 Champions' League, Achraf Hakimi should be considered PSG's greatest rightback. He was one of PSG's best players as they won the title.
-- Jean Djorkaeff is the first ever captain for the club, but he did not play in Paris long enough. He played here between 1970 and 1972. He is a member of PSG Hall of Flame, but he is only on my honourable mention. Dani Alves was an important player for PSG, but he only played here for a short time. So, I went with Christophe Jallet. He was voted as PSG's greatest rightback in 2023. The other rightbacks considered were Michel Bibard. Grégory van der Wiel, Laurent Fournier, Bernard Mendy and Serge Aurier.
-- Maxwell was voted as PSG's greatest leftback in 2023. He won the Ligue 1 title in every seasons he played in Paris. He is the club's most decorated player. Then, I took Gabriel Heinze ahead of Sylvain Armand. Heinze played a pivotal role in the Coupe de France triumph in 2004, although he missed the final. Goal.com put him as the 18th greatest PSG player ahead of Christophe Jallet and Ronaldinho. At the time of writing (June 2025), Nuno Mendes contributed to PSG winning the Champions' League. He is becoming PSG's greatest leftback in the world, but at the age of 22 years old, I could take him ahead of Maxwell or Gabriel Heinze. He needs more time. Layvin Kurzawa and Patrick Colleter were also considered.
Midfielders/Wingers
-- Luis Fernández, a homegrown talent made history by leading the club to its first three major trophies: back-to-back Coupe de France victories in 1982 and 1983, followed by the French league title in 1986. His pivotal role in these triumphs earned him France Football's prestigious "Étoile d'Or" award in 1985. The L'Équipe voted Blaise Matuidi on their PSG All-Time Best XI.
-- Both Paul Le Guen and Vincent Guérin played in the 1990's for PSG. Vincent Guérin won Ligue One Player of the Season as well as the French Player of the Year during this period of time. He was a central midfielder who could balance attack and defense. I wanted to select both of them to spread the team around across eras, but I did not have enough space.
-- Dominique Bathenay who is the longest serving captain for the club. He is also elected to its Hall of Flame. Thiago Motta was also an important player. However, I decided to go with two deep lying playmakers. Marco Verratti won a then-record nine Ligue 1 titles, among other domestic and individual trophies, and established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world. He ranks third for all-time appearances for the club. Vitinha was more of a deep lying playmaker. He was one of the reason why PSG won the Champions' League in 2025.
-- Rai starred in PSG, which led to him to become the starting playmaker at Brazil's World Cup team in 1994. However, he failed to perform and was mainly used as bench player in the Finals. Nevertheless, he was great in Paris and his World Cup performance was not an issue here. He is sometimes considered to be PSG's greatest ever player.
-- Safet Sušić is the all-time assist leader for the club. He is tied in third place for appearance record and 7th in goal scoring record. In 2010, France Football selected him as PSG's all-time greatest player and the best foreign player of Ligue 1 of all time.
-- Mustapha Dahleb mightb be an important player in Paris than Ronaldinho. Certainly, he spent a much longer time here, but Ronaldinho's performance was extraordinary. He was constantly mentioned among the greatest players ever in Paris. He was briefly an understudy to Jay Jay Okocha who was treating the new playmaker as if he was his brother. He was not performing at the beginning of the season, but he soon established himself at the club. By the summer of 2002, he earned a starting position with Brazil at the 2002 World Cup Finals alongside Ronaldo and Rivaldo as the three "R"s . Of the three footballers, Ronaldinho was relatively least known than the two "R"s. I had to leave Mustapha Dahleb off the team.
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Ronaldinho |
-- I also dropped Jay Jay Okocha and Valdo. The team is overloaded with attack midfielders. Okocha was a big star while over here. Valdo was a key player as PSG won the Cup Winners' Cup. I don't know much about Dogliani.
-- Youri Djorkaeff only spent one year at the club, but he helped to win the Cup Winners' Cup. I almost selected him, but the team has too many attack midfielders. Rai, Ronaldinho and Susic all have a much longer career than him.
-- Ousmane Dembele is usually a right- winger, but he was used successfully as a false 9 during PSG's Champions' League winning campaign. He was their best player. He was named Ligue 1 Player of the Year and UEFA Champions Player of the Season. His performance took Angel Di Maria, Neymar and Lionel Messi off the team. Dominique Rocheteau played 255 matches and scored 100 goals across all competitions between 1980 and 1987. He did not have the same international reputation as the other wing-side attackers, but I gave him credit for being the key player to PSG's first Ligue 1 title. Désiré Doué is still a long way to find himself to be on this team.
-- David Beckham is also a member of PSG Hall of Flame. He only played for them during a loan spell that lasted from January to May, 2013. I am not considering him for this all-time team.
-- David Ginola won the French Footballer of the Year award from France Football in his very first season at PSG. In his second campaign (1993–94), he helped the club secure its second-ever league title, with the team losing just three matches all season. His influence was undeniable. However, PSG also had talents like Ronaldinho and Kylian Mbappé—both capable of playing on the left—which eventually made Ginola expendable. I also could not find space for Neymar. Neymar's arrival marked another major milestone in the club’s history, but his time at PSG was plagued by injuries. He still managed to become the club’s fourth all-time leading scorer, but I chose Ronaldinho and Mbappe over him.
-- Kylian Mbappé's controversial departure did not affect his status over here. He is PSG's All-Time leading scorer. I saw him as a wing-forward.
Forwards
-- As mentioned above, Kylian Mbappé's is PSG's All-Time leading scorer. He played centrally in Paris, but his best position might be as a left wing-forward. During his career here, he outshined both his teammates Neymar and Lionel Messi. Ousmane Dembele is also a false 9.
-- George Weah was was named FIFA World Player of the Year and won the Ballon d'Or in 1995 as a member of the team. At the time of writing, he is the only player who won the trophy as an active PSG player.
-- Edinson Cavani secured his place on the team as the club’s second all-time leading scorer, a testament to his lethal finishing and consistency. He actually scored than 50 goals than Zlatan Ibrahimović. Zlatan Ibrahimović held the top spot until Cavani surpassed him. A dominant force, he won Ligue 1 Player of the Season three times during his tenure. He also received Ballon d'Or Nominations on each of his season in Paris.-- Before Ibrahimović, Mustapha Dahleb was PSG’s record scorer—a milestone that highlighted his influence in the club’s early years, but I could not find space for him. He was more of an attack midfielder.
-- Completing the forward line is Pauleta, the clinical striker who was mentioned numerous times among PSG's greatest players. He was three times the top goalscorer in Ligue 1 and was also voted twice as the division's player of the season.
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Pauleta |
-- Carlos Bianchi's goal/games ratio is too amazing. He is also a member of the PSG Hall of Flame. However, he only spent two seasons in Paris. François M'Pelé scored 95 goals in the team. Marco Simeone won Ligue One Player of the Season, but I only put him on honorable mention. Those players were sidelined by the players brought in by the Qataris.
Formation
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