Ex-Super Eagles Star Godwin Okpara Backs PSG to Retain UCL Title Against Arsenal in Budapest Final

Former Super Eagles and Paris Saint-Germain defender Godwin Okpara has backed the Ligue 1 champions to retain the UEFA Champions League trophy when they face Arsenal in Budapest in the 2025-26 final.

The two clubs — champions of France and England respectively — have beaten several top European sides to reach the showpiece. For PSG, the final represents a chance to win back-to-back European titles after dismantling Inter Milan 5-0 in last season’s final. Arsenal, meanwhile, are making their first appearance in the Champions League final since their defeat to Barcelona in 2006.

Speaking to Footy-Africa, Okpara was unequivocal in his assessment, pointing to PSG’s collective system rather than any individual as the foundation of his prediction. “There is a lot of quality in this PSG squad, and they do not depend solely on Ousmane Dembélé. It is an elite team because they no longer play through just one player,” the former defender said.

Okpara highlighted specific personnel as evidence of PSG’s multi-dimensional threat. “Look at their tactical formation. Even Achraf Hakimi operates with the impact of an attacker, but he is fundamentally a defender,” he noted. He also pointed to the partnership between Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as a key element of PSG’s style. “They have a good understanding, and they play as a collective unit, and they win as a team. That is the only way to secure the biggest trophies.”

While firmly in PSG’s corner, Okpara was careful to acknowledge Arsenal’s credentials, particularly their defensive record. The Premier League title winners have conceded just six goals across their entire Champions League campaign en route to the final — a figure that underlines how formidable Mikel Arteta’s side have been. Arteta was also recently recognised with the Premier League Manager of the Season award following Arsenal’s historic domestic triumph.

Despite that defensive resilience, Okpara anticipates an open contest. “It is going to be an incredibly tough match because both teams are exceptionally strong in their respective areas. I am expecting to see plenty of goals in this final,” he said.

His reasoning for favouring PSG ultimately came down to a position-by-position evaluation of both squads. “When you look closely at the squads — ranking them position by position from the goalkeeper, through the defence, into midfield, and up to the attack — PSG simply possess more quality players. For that reason, I see them winning it,” Okpara concluded.

Okpara, who represented Nigeria at international level and had a spell at PSG during his playing career, brings firsthand knowledge of both the club and the weight of continental competition. His comments come as PSG also reportedly received a fitness update on one of their key players ahead of the final — a development that could influence team selection for the Budapest showpiece.

The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League final between PSG and Arsenal is set to be one of the most anticipated European club matches in recent memory, pitting the continent’s reigning champions against a resurgent English side ending a 20-year absence from the final.