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PSG’s last squad before the Qatari takeover was BRIMMING with cult heroes

  • PSG are armed with an unbelievable war chest nowadays after signing Neymar AND Kylian Mbappe this summer
  • But it wasn't always that way, particularly before the Qatari takeover in 2011
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PSG are equipped with the finances to sign anyone on the planet right now.

The French giants flexed their monetary muscle not once but twice last summer by stunning their rivals with the acquisitions of both Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.


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Double trouble arrived in Paris this summer

AFP
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Double trouble arrived in Paris this summer

But it wasn’t always this way.

Prior to the Qatari takeover in August 2011, PSG had gone nearly 20 years without a Ligue 1 title with just three runners up finishes in that time frame too.

The Parisiens, in truth, were a fading force in French football before the influx of money, with Lyon dominating domestic competitions during the first decade of the 21st century.

But while they didn’t win the title, PSG’s squad in the final season prior to the takeover will be remembered more for sentimental reasons with some true cult heroes in their ranks.

1 Claude Makelele

Try not to get lost in those beautiful eyes

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Try not to get lost in those beautiful eyes

Coming to the end of his remarkable career, Makelele spent three years in Paris after a hugely successful era with Chelsea.

One of a real premium of players to be immortalised by a position or move, the ice-cool Frenchman played 42 times in all competitions for PSG in 2010/11.

Makelele anchored that midfield to death – as he did throughout his career – before hanging up his boots at the end of the season.

2 Mamadou Sakho

Sakho went onto become PSG’s youngest ever captain

Getty - Contributor
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Sakho went onto become PSG’s youngest ever captain

What Liverpool fans would give to have Sakho back as an option after his bizarre falling out with Jurgen Klopp and subsequent Anfield banishment.

Sakho moved to Anfield in summer 2013, but prior to that he was a rock in France and became PSG’s youngest ever captain at the age of 21 after Makelele’s retirement.

The French centre-back is regarded as one of the finest products of PSG’s youth system, a rare breed these days.

3 Gregory Coupet

The great French goalkeeper made a controversial return to France in 2009, joining PSG after over a decade of service with Lyon.

Coupet played second fiddle to Apoula Edel for the majority of the season but still managed 24 appearances in all competitions.

He will always be remembered for his iconic and innovative double save at the Nou Camp in 2001 to deny Rivaldo, a stop that was branded ‘Save of the century’ (above).

4 Stephane Sessegnon

The highlight of Sessegnon’s PSG career

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The highlight of Sessegnon’s PSG career

A bit of an enigma in England during his time with Sunderland West Brom, Sessegnon was capable on his day of hurting any defence.

The trouble was, his day came far too infrequently to take his career to the next level.

Sessegnon was signed from Le Mans in 2008, failing to score in the entirety of the 2010/11 campaign before leaving for the Premier League that summer.

5 Ludovic Giuly

Here lies the perfect footballing journeyman

AFP
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Here lies the perfect footballing journeyman

Arguably one of the most popular players of his generation, Giuly embodied cult status regardless of the club he was representing.

The winger captained Monaco on their inspirational, odds-defying run to the Champions League final in 2003/04 and then became a European champion with Barcelona two years later.

He then returned to France after a year with Roma, scoring six times for PSG in the 2010/11 season including against former side Lyon in the Coupe de France.


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