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Presnel Kimpembe, the former Paris Saint-Germain centre-back, unexpectedly found himself in the spotlight during Saturday's Champions League final.

Serving as PSG's official ambassador for the final, Kimpembe carried the Champions League trophy into the stadium in Budapest alongside Thierry Henry before the match against Arsenal. Henry, the legendary French forward, represented Arsenal, the club where he made his name as a global icon.

When PSG triumphed in a dramatic penalty shootout, Kimpembe—now playing for Qatar SC—took part in the post-match celebrations. During the trophy presentation, the defender was called upon to carry the cup and place it on the official plinth.

It was evident that Kimpembe, who left Paris for Qatar last summer, remains a beloved figure among the PSG players. He warmly greeted his former teammates Nuno Mendes and Joao Neves, sharing heartfelt moments on the pitch.

Moments later, the PSG squad invited Kimpembe to join them in lifting the trophy. Ousmane Dembélé encouraged the 30-year-old to raise the cup, and though he looked a bit shy, Kimpembe obliged—lifting the silverware high into the Budapest night as his former teammates erupted in celebration.

Back in 2025, Kimpembe had lifted the Champions League trophy as a PSG player. Last season, he was still part of the Parisian side when they won their first-ever Champions League title, despite limited involvement due to injury. He made only five appearances across all competitions and played just 18 minutes in the previous Champions League campaign, but was still included in the squad for the final against Inter Milan, which PSG won 5–0.

This time, PSG successfully defended their title to claim a second consecutive Champions League crown. Kai Havertz had given Arsenal an early lead, but Dembélé equalised from the penalty spot midway through the second half. The score remained 1-1 after both regular and extra time, leading to a penalty shootout. PSG held their nerve, and Arsenal’s centre-back Gabriel missed the crucial spot-kick, sending his attempt over the bar. PSG captain Marquinhos consoled his distraught Brazilian compatriot moments later.

Kimpembe, who was also part of France's 2018 World Cup-winning squad, continues to share a special connection with PSG despite no longer playing for them. The Champions League triumph resonated deeply with him, having spent two decades with the club since joining its youth academy in 2005.

He made his senior debut at 19 and quickly became a first-team regular, later establishing himself as a consistent member of the French national team. During the 2018 World Cup, he featured in the final group-stage match against Denmark, which ended goalless.

However, injuries have hampered his career in recent years. Since late 2022, Kimpembe’s progress was severely affected by a torn Achilles tendon that kept him out of action for nearly two years. He made his return only a few months before PSG's Champions League victory last year.

After that, he moved to Qatar SC, where his contract runs until the end of June. He has made eleven competitive appearances for the Qatari club this season.

Presnel Kimpembe: PSG Career Statistics

Matches: 241

Goals: 3

Honours: Eight-time Ligue 1 champion, six-time French Cup winner, and one-time Champions League winner.