Left out of final by Luis Enrique, Zaïre-Emery admits frustration despite PSG's triumph

Warren Zaïre-Emery was not in PSG’s starting lineup for the Champions League final against Arsenal, despite a 2025-2026 season in which he was the player most frequently used by Luis Enrique. The Spanish coach had preferred to field Achraf Hakimi at right-back and renew his confidence in Fabián Ruiz in midfield — a position Zaïre-Emery had occupied for several months due to a left knee injury to the Spanish midfielder.

“It’s true that at the moment, I was a bit frustrated,” admitted the French international, born in Montreuil. “But when you see the team winning, when everything goes well, you can only be happy. I enjoyed coming on the pitch and playing for this team.” Remarks made to Téléfoot, in which he also defended his coach’s choice: “These are the coach’s decisions, it’s his formula. We can’t hold it against him, he won so that’s how it is.”

Luis Enrique himself took care to praise his player’s reaction after PSG’s triumph. “With Warren, I was very unfair. He deserved to play in this final. He showed his character and he accepted my decision. I wanted to highlight that,” said the Spanish coach. A rare public recognition that illustrates the moral weight of a decision the coach knew would be difficult to justify.

For Zaïre-Emery, the page now turns to the Blues and the World Cup, where a new opportunity to lift a trophy looms.