Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos is poised to etch his name into the annals of French football history when he leads his side out against Arsenal in the Champions League final in Budapest this Saturday. The Brazilian defender will become the first player ever to feature in three European Cup finals for a club from France, a testament to his enduring quality and PSG’s sustained presence at the summit of continental competition.
Marquinhos’s record-setting appearance adds a new chapter to a story that began in Lisbon in August 2020, when he started in PSG’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich. Five years later, he was again a fixture in the starting eleven for the 2025 final, underscoring his unshakeable importance to the Parisian project. Now, the 31-year-old is set to walk out for his third final, a feat that elevates him above any player in the history of French club football.
The path to the pinnacle of European football has been a long and often painful one for French clubs. Reims were the first to contest the final, reaching the decisive match in 1956 and 1959, only to fall short on both occasions. Saint-Étienne followed in 1976, losing to Bayern Munich in a closely fought tie. Marseille then became the first and only French side to lift the trophy, triumphing in 1991 against Red Star Belgrade—though that final was marred by controversy—and then adding a second title in 1993 versus AC Milan. Monaco’s 2004 appearance ended in defeat to Jose Mourinho’s Porto. PSG themselves have now reached three finals in just over five years, a feat unmatched by any French club in history.
Against that backdrop, Marquinhos’s individual milestone shines even brighter. No player had previously donned the jersey of a Ligue 1 club in three Champions League finals. The record was jointly held by several Marseille players from the 1991 and 1993 triumphs, such as Basile Boli and Didier Deschamps, but none were able to add a third. Marquinhos, however, has been the bedrock of PSG’s defence through multiple eras, from the ‘MNM’ superstar project to a more balanced collective under the current coach.
In a squad that has undergone seismic changes since that first final, Marquinhos stands as the sole remaining link. Star forwards like Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi have moved on, midfield maestros have been replaced, and even managers have come and gone, but the captain has remained a constant. His 122 Champions League appearances read like a chronicle of the club’s ascent from ambitious upstart to genuine powerhouse. He is now the most-capped Brazilian in the competition’s history, a record he broke earlier this year.
Should PSG finally break their duck and lift the trophy, it would represent the culmination of a decade-long project bankrolled by Qatari investment. For Marquinhos, it would be the crowning glory of a career that has seen him win every domestic honour in France but eluded European success. Even if the result goes against them, his legacy as a trailblazer is indelible. As one seasoned observer of Ligue 1 noted, “Marquinhos’s consistency at this level is nothing short of extraordinary. To perform at the highest intensity for so many years and in so many big games—it’s the hallmark of a truly world-class defender.”
Arsenal, their opponents, have enjoyed a stellar campaign in Europe this season, setting the stage for a mouth-watering encounter in the Hungarian capital. The Gunners, guided by their astute manager, have blended youth and experience to reach this stage, presenting a formidable obstacle to PSG’s ambitions. While the North London side seek their first Champions League crown, all eyes will be on Marquinhos as he becomes the first player in history to take part in three finals with a French club.
The significance of this achievement extends beyond personal accolade. It underscores the transformation of Paris Saint-Germain from a domestic force into a routine contender for European glory. Their three finals since 2020 occupy a chunk of French football’s overall nine final appearances, highlighting the capital club’s dominance. For a league often criticized for its lack of competitiveness, PSG’s consistency on the big stage offers a counter-narrative.
As the football world converges on Budapest, one man’s name is already assured of a prominent place in the record books. Win or lose, Marquinhos has done what no French-based player could before him, and his journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and elite-level consistency. The final whistle will determine whether he adds a winners’ medal to his collection, but his status as a pioneer is already secured.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.
