Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has revealed that he is happy not to be facing his former club Barcelona in this year’s Champions League final. The Ligue 1 giants, who eliminated Arsenal with a 3-1 aggregate scoreline on Wednesday, will now take on Inter Milan in the final on May 31 in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.

Despite his current role at PSG, Enrique admitted that a final against Barcelona would have been a difficult proposition for him. Speaking to Cadena Cope, he said, “To be honest, playing in a Champions League final against Barcelona would have been the worst thing for me.”

However, the Spaniard also showed his admiration for his former club, adding, “If we hadn’t been there, I would have loved for Barcelona to have been there and to have won it.” Enrique’s deep ties with Barça are evident—he managed the Catalan club during their last Champions League triumph in 2015.

✍🏽 Opinion Corner: The Emotional Toll of Facing Your Former Club

Luis Enrique’s comments shed light on the emotional complexity of facing one’s former club in a high-stakes final. As a manager with a storied history at Barcelona, it’s no surprise that Enrique would find the idea of a final against them challenging. The emotional weight of competing against a club where you not only played but also coached to success is undoubtedly tough.

That said, Enrique’s sentiments reflect a broader theme that many players and managers experience: the balance between loyalty to your past and commitment to your present team. It’s easy to imagine the unique sense of pride Enrique would feel if Barcelona were to win the Champions League, even if it meant PSG not being in the final.

With the upcoming PSG vs Inter Milan final set to be an exciting clash of footballing giants, fans can only wonder how much of a mental hurdle it would have been for Enrique had Barcelona made it through. For now, the focus remains on what promises to be a fascinating encounter for both teams.

What do you think? Would you want to face your former club in a Champions League final? Share your thoughts below! 👇🏽

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