Paris Saint-Germain's Russian goalkeeper Matvei Safonov has etched his name into the history books by becoming the first Russian footballer to reach two UEFA Champions League finals. This remarkable achievement came after PSG secured their place in the tournament's decisive match following a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich in the second leg of their semifinal encounter.
The 27-year-old shot-stopper now stands alone among his compatriots in European football's elite club competition. Previously, several notable Russian players had reached the Champions League final once in their careers, but none managed to do so twice. The list of those who achieved this feat once includes Igor Dobrovolsky with Marseille, Anton But with Borussia Dortmund, Dmitry Alenichev with Porto, and Denis Cheryshev with Real Madrid.
Safonov's journey to this historic moment has been marked by consistent performance throughout the current campaign. Across all competitions this season, the goalkeeper has accumulated 24 appearances for the French capital club, demonstrating his reliability and importance to the squad's ambitions both domestically and in Europe.
The Russian international's commitment to PSG extends well into the future. His current contract with the Parisian giants runs through the summer of 2029, providing stability for both player and club. According to data from the Transfermarkt portal, Safonov's market value stands at an impressive 22 million euros, reflecting his status as a top-tier goalkeeper in European football.
PSG's path to the final was secured through their aggregate performance against Bayern Munich. The 1-1 draw in the second leg proved sufficient to see the French champions through to the tournament's showpiece event, where they will compete for European football's most coveted trophy.
The final of this season's Champions League is scheduled to take place at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. The deciding match of Europe's premier club competition will be held on May 30, 2026, where Safonov and his teammates will have the opportunity to write another chapter in the club's history.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.