Zaire-Emery Reflects on Not Starting in Champions League Final Win

Warren Zaïre-Emery Reflects on Champions League Final Experience

Paris, June 2026 – Ahead of France’s opening match in the 2026 World Cup, Warren Zaïre-Emery, a standout player for Paris Saint-Germain, discussed his feelings about not starting in the Champions League final against Arsenal. Despite his consistent performance throughout the season, Zaïre-Emery was left on the bench at the start of the match, which ended 1-1 before PSG triumphed 4-3 in the penalty shootout.

Zaïre-Emery’s rise to prominence

Called up by Didier Deschamps for the World Cup, Zaïre-Emery has been pivotal for PSG. At 20, he was the most utilized player by coach Luis Enrique, showcasing his importance in the squad. However, Enrique’s decision to start Fabian Ruiz in the Champions League final initially left Zaïre-Emery disappointed.

A bittersweet moment turned into joy

In an interview with Téléfoot, Zaïre-Emery shared his honest thoughts on the situation. “Not starting was frustrating, but these are the coach’s decisions. He won, and that’s what matters,” he stated. Despite the initial disappointment, he quickly found contentment in the team’s overall success. “Seeing the team win made me happy. Playing in extra time was a joy,” he added.