Paris Saint-Germain has done it again. The Champions League holders edged past a fearless Aston Villa side 2-1 at the Red Bull Arena to win their second consecutive UEFA Super Cup, joining the ranks of Real Madrid as the only clubs to achieve the feat in the modern era.
It was a night of high drama, teenage dreams, and a landmark moment for African refereeing that will be remembered long after the trophy was lifted.
The Game Unfolds
The French giants started brightly, and it was their Georgian magician, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. The winger, whom PSG captain Marquinhos had warned would be a handful in the buildup, thumped a delightful strike into the top-left corner to give his side the lead.
But Aston Villa refused to be intimidated. On his competitive debut, 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo announced himself to the world in spectacular fashion. Just as the first half was winding down, the youngster rose to meet a cross from captain John McGinn, holding off a defender to fire home a clinical equaliser. At 17 years and 212 days, Madjo became the youngest-ever scorer in UEFA Super Cup history, a record previously held by Patrick Kluivert.
The second half was a tense affair. Villa pushed hard, with PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov producing a crucial save to deny McGinn. However, the defining moment came in the 62nd minute when Desire Doué raced onto a pass from Ousmane Dembélé and curled a beautiful finish into the far corner.
The stadium held its breath. The linesman's flag was up for offside, and Doue's celebrations were cut short. But after a tense video assistant referee (VAR) check, the goal was given, sparking wild celebrations among the PSG players and fans.
Reaction from the Camp
For PSG manager Luis Enrique, the victory was a testament to the team's unity and hunger, despite a disrupted preseason. "It was a difficult match to prepare for," he admitted. "The players needed a rest, but every time they pull on the Paris Saint-Germain shirt, there’s that connection. What we showed is that, despite mistakes, we’re the team we’ve always been. All the players are on the same page, and that’s very important because to win big trophies, you need everyone to pull together.
Captain Marquinhos, beaming as he lifted the trophy, described it as the "best possible way to start the season. It shows the ambition of the players, the club, and the manager. We really deserve this trophy. We managed to overcome the difficult moments, and I’m delighted to be lifting this trophy once again".
New signing Maghnes Akliouche, who picked up his first trophy for the club, was equally overjoyed: "I’m really pleased. I arrived here a few days ago, and I’m happy to have played my first match with the team today. It’s my first trophy, and I hope there will be more to come".
The Financial Stakes
Beyond the glory, the match carried significant financial rewards. Both clubs were guaranteed a participation fee of €4 million (approximately
$4.7 million
) just for qualifying and competing in the match.
As the victors, PSG also secured an additional
$1.1 million victory bonus, taking their total payout to approximately $5.8 million
. Aston Villa, despite the defeat, walked away with the baseline
$4.7 million
.
For context, Villa generated roughly £30 million from their successful Europa League run last season, while PSG accumulated around £100 million from their Champions League campaign.
Breakdown in Kenyan Shillings (KES)
For our readers in Kenya, here’s what that looks like in local currency, based on approximate exchange rates:
• Participation Fee (Both Clubs): €4 million ≈ $4.7 million ≈ KES 608 million
• Winner's Bonus (PSG): €1 million ≈ $1.1 million ≈ KES 142 million
• Total Champions Purse (PSG): €5 million ≈ $5.8 million ≈ KES 750 million
• Runner-Up Purse (Aston Villa): €4 million ≈ $4.7 million ≈ KES 608 million
A Night of History for East Africa
The match in Salzburg was historic not just for the result, but for the men in the middle. In a significant first for UEFA, the match was officiated by a team of referees from outside Europe, with three coming from the Eastern African region.
Omar Artan of Somalia became the first non-European referee to take charge of the UEFA Super Cup. Artan was the 2025 CAF Men's Referee of the Year and was controversially denied entry to the United States for the 2026 World Cup, a decision which UEFA publicly challenged by appointing him to this showpiece event.
Assisting him were Liban Abdoulrazack Ahmed from Djibouti and Stephen Eleazar Onyango Yiembe from Kenya. For Yiembe, a referee from Nakuru, the appointment marked the first time a Kenyan official has been selected for a UEFA competition, flying the flag high for the region.
The appointment was a result of a cooperation agreement between UEFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), showcasing the growing partnership between the two governing bodies.
PSG's victory is the first of what they hope will be six trophies this season. Villa, meanwhile, will feel a sense of pride despite the loss, with the performance of 17-year-old Brian Madjo offering a tantalising glimpse of the future for the English side.