When Nasser Al-Khelaïfi took the reins of Paris Saint-Germain in 2011, the club was far from the global giant it has become today. Thirteen years later, PSG represents a unique success story, blending sporting ambition, economic influence, and societal commitment. A model driven by a leader whose legacy, although sometimes controversial, deserves to be told without filters.
On the financial front, the transformation is spectacular. Valued at $2.5 billion by Forbes in 2023, PSG saw its valuation soar by 207% in five years, an unmatched performance among the 50 largest sports franchises worldwide. Behind these figures lies a concrete impact on the French economy. In the Île-de-France region alone, the club generated €182 million in revenue during the 2018/2019 season, supporting 2,150 direct and indirect jobs, and collaborating with 800 companies, mostly local. This windfall extends beyond the realm of sport: hospitality, security, catering, merchandising… PSG has become an ecosystem serving its region.
But the real revolution lies elsewhere. By attracting icons such as Zlatan Ibrahimović, Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé, Al-Khelaïfi has given Ligue 1 unprecedented international visibility. The €1.368 billion invested in transfers between 2011 and 2021 allowed the French league to compete with the Premier League and La Liga. These signings, often referred to as “mercenary,” are part of a long-term strategy. Qatar has also invested €300 million in the club’s academy and the Loges center, training local talents such as Presnel Kimpembe and Kingsley Coman. Today, 40% of the professional squad comes from the club’s youth academy, a tangible answer to critics.
However, PSG is not just about its stars. It is a global brand, with 100 million followers on social media, a number that surpasses many entertainment giants. This community, described as “intangible heritage,” is the result of a meticulous influence strategy. In Asia, where the club opened an office in 2018, PSG has become a reference. In South Korea, the club’s second-largest e-commerce market, jerseys printed in Korean and the popularity of Lee Kang-In (whose sales surpass those of Mbappé in Seoul) illustrate this cultural connection. In Japan, summer tours and “lifestyle” collections co-created with local designers, such as Nigo, transform football into a pop phenomenon. The 162 PSG academies across 18 countries, with 22,500 young players trained, cement this vision: export expertise while discovering future stars.
This expansion is accompanied by an unprecedented societal commitment. The PSG Foundation and the “PSG Community” program have helped thousands of underprivileged children, through education or access to sports. In 2022, a partnership with UNESCO launched a pioneering initiative for gender equality in sports. During the pandemic, the club financially supported amateur clubs, reaffirming its ties to the French football community.
However, criticism persists. Accused of financial excesses or media complacency, Al-Khelaïfi has always responded through actions. In 2020, his legal victory against France Info for defamation revealed the excesses of a press quick to relay rumors. Under his presidency, PSG has adhered to Financial Fair Play rules while defending, through his role as president of the European Clubs Association (ECA), a fairer redistribution of football’s wealth.
Some criticize him for his excessive ambition, forgetting that PSG, before his arrival, struggled to shine in Europe. Today, the club boasts 30 national titles, a UEFA Champions League final (2020), and a women’s section among the best in the world. More importantly, it has given France a central place in world football.
Nasser Al-Khelaïfi is not a saint but a pragmatist. His legacy is a club that employs, trains, shines, and innovates. A club that, thanks to him, has made Paris a capital of both sport and culture. The controversies will pass; the jobs created, the titles won, and the children helped will remain. In a football world often plagued by scandals, PSG reminds us of one truth: sport can be a force for progress. And perhaps that is the greatest victory of its president.
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