Paris Saint-Germain gear up for Champions League final amid internal tensions and player fitness updates

Paris Saint-Germain conducted its final open training on May 23 ahead of the Champions League final against Arsenal in Budapest on May 30. During the session, Ukrainian defender Ilya Zabarnyi refused to shake hands with Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov, reflecting the ongoing Russia‑Ukraine conflict. Zabarnyi had previously asked for Safonov’s exclusion before joining PSG and reiterated his stance that Russian football should be isolated while the war continues. Former Ukrainian goalkeeper Denys Boyko confirmed Zabarnyi’s request.

A separate internal friendly match at the PSG Campus saw Nuno Mendes and Willian Pacho each play more than 60 minutes, reassuring the coaching staff about their fitness. The game ended 3‑1 with goals from Vitinha, Ibrahim Mbaye and Gonçalo Ramos, while around 1,000 ultras and 150 children attended. Achraf Hakimi was training individually and Ousmane Dembélé remained under treatment, but no new injuries were reported.