Ivan Perišić to captain PSV in Champions League opener

Ivan Perišić will captain PSV Eindhoven from the start in their UEFA Champions League opening match against Shakhtar Donetsk at the Philips Stadion. The 37-year-old Croatian veteran will mark a career milestone, as this is the first time he has led the team as captain from the opening whistle in the competition.

Perišić assumes the captaincy due to the suspension of Mauro Júnior and a serious injury to Jerdy Schouten, who is expected to be sidelined until early 2027. Regarding his increased media presence due to his leadership role, Perišić noted that while he previously focused more on play and less on interviews due to past experiences, he intends to engage more with the press this season.

Following three consecutive Dutch league titles, Perišić expressed his ambition for PSV to achieve greater success on the European stage, stating that the club should aim for a more significant role in international competitions.