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Declan Rice has shared his thoughts on how he has matured into what he calls a “big-game player,” as Arsenal gear up for a monumental Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. Having already lifted the Premier League trophy, the England international now has his sights set on completing an iconic double in Budapest.

Rising to the biggest stages

Rice is no stranger to European triumphs, having captained West Ham United to victory in the Europa Conference League. Now, as he prepares to marshal Arsenal’s midfield in the Champions League final, the magnitude of the occasion has never been greater. The 27-year-old believes he has developed the composure and mentality needed to perform when it matters most, describing himself as a player built for the grandest occasions in world football.

“I’d like to think of myself as a big-game player,” Rice told uefa.com in the lead-up to the final. “When you’re competing in the biggest tournaments, you need everyone to rise to the occasion — not just me. I think our team has done that consistently in major matches, especially in the Champions League. A few of us have that mentality, and we’ll need it again heading into this final.”

Lessons from past heartbreaks

Although Rice experienced the joy of lifting silverware in Prague with West Ham, his career has also had its share of painful final defeats, including two European Championship losses with England. Instead of allowing those setbacks to discourage him, the midfielder uses them as motivation to avoid feeling that same “hurt” again. He believes those experiences have prepared him well for the challenge of facing Luis Enrique’s PSG side in Budapest.

“I’ve lost quite a few finals — two EURO finals, the League Cup final. It hurts, because when you reach a final, the only goal is to win. But every setback prepares you for the next challenge. It drives you to want success even more, and hopefully that’s what we can keep achieving,” Rice said.

Pursuing a historic double in Budapest

With the Premier League title already secured, Arsenal’s full focus is now on the Champions League — the coveted trophy that has long eluded the North London club. After being knocked out by PSG in the semi-finals last season, Rice believes the squad has absorbed the lessons needed to finally go all the way. He says the Gunners are ready to “empty the tank” in pursuit of European glory.

“PSG are a top-quality team. We faced them over two legs last year, and it was a tight contest. What we learned from that semi-final defeat is that you must take your chances — we had plenty, but we didn’t make the most of them,” Rice reflected.

A chance to make history

Rice played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s Premier League triumph, ending a 22-year title drought for the club. In 36 league appearances, he contributed four goals and seven assists, underlining his importance in midfield. Now, the 27-year-old views the Champions League final as a once-in-a-lifetime chance to bring home the one major title that has evaded Arsenal’s grasp.

“It’s the biggest competition in world football. The Champions League final — it doesn’t get any bigger than that. What an incredible opportunity. It’s the final moment of the club season, and we’ll give absolutely everything to finish on a high,” Rice said.