PSG's Best Domestic XI vs. Best Overseas XI of Past 15 Years
In terms of football history, Paris Saint-Germain are a fairly young club, with the 2015/16 campaign only their 46th season in existence.
Some well-known and exciting players have graced the club in that time, but after a successful spell in the mid-1990s, there was a period of uncertainty and success both off and on the field dried up.
It wasn’t until the new era, brought about by the influx of cash from Qatari Sports Investment, that PSG were transformed into European football heavyweights.
Since the turn of the millennium, PSG have won three league titles, soon to be four, but they have also finished as low as 16th. This means that although some great players have played for the club, there has been a lot of mediocre ones, too.
The club have always had a heavy influence of South American, Iberian and African players, plus a strong core of French talent, either brought in from other Ligue 1 clubs or developed through the ranks.
In order to showcase the amount of great talent the club have had in recent times, here is PSG’s best domestic XI versus their best overseas XI over the past 15 years.
Notable Mentions
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In order to make this list, we are not just measuring success by adding up trophies and honours, as that would give a heavy advantage to the last four years.
It’s more about looking at the influence players had over the history of the club through the good and the bad times, the individual success and what they brought to the capital.
French goalkeeper Lionel Letizi was unfortunate to miss out, having been PSG’s No. 1 for most of 2000 to 2006.
Brazilian Maxwell pushed very hard for a place at left-back, but in a nod to some of the talent that helped the club through an inconsistent spell, he just misses out.
It was with a heavy heart that Nigerian playmaker Jay Jay Okocha couldn’t make the overseas XI, but it was an area of the pitch where the club have been heavily blessed.
The likes of Lucas Digne, Layvin Kurzawa and Christophe Jallet were in contention, but none have really done enough at the club to merit selection.
Please comment at the end if you agree with the players picked, or who you would have in their place.
PSG Domestic XI
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Here is the PSG Domestic XI: Starting with the man between the posts.
Goalkeeper: Mickael Landreau
When French goalkeeper Mickael Landreau hung up his gloves at the end of the 2013/14 season, his 618 appearances in Ligue 1 set the record for the most in the league’s history.
Although he won the league with Lille in 2011, his three seasons spent with PSG make him the best French goalkeeper at the Parisian club over the last 15 years.
A phenomenal shot-stopper, his last-ditch saves and command of his area made him a hero for the four sides he played for in his career.
Right-Back: Bernard Mendy
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Boyhood PSG fan Bernard Mendy fulfilled one of his dreams when he signed for the Parisian club from Caen in 2000.
His spell in the capital also featured a loan spell at Bolton Wanderers, but it was on his return, under Vahid Halilhodzic, where his strong running and blistering attacks down the right won him a place in the French national team.
Centre-Back: Mamadou Sakho
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If you cut open Mamadou Sakho, it would be no surprise to see him bleed red and blue. A former club-captain, the centre-back was a dominating and imposing figure when he broke through into the PSG first-team.
Many fans were left disappointed when he was pushed out of the team by a string of Brazilian defenders, feeling that some of PSG’s heart was ripped out when he was sold to Liverpool.
Still a feature of the France national team, his passion and desire was there for everyone to see when he helped France beat Ukraine to reach the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Centre-Back: Sylvain Armand
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Sylvain Armand is another legendary figure in recent Ligue 1 history. Still playing in the league for Rennes, the versatile defender has been a commanding presence wherever he has played.
Calm and controlled, his left-foot was an asset when he played as a left-back, but his reading of the game and leadership shone through when he moved into the middle.
Armand played over 280 games for PSG, winning one league title and lifting the Coupe de France three times.
Left-Back: Didier Domi
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A product of the PSG youth academy back in the 1990s, Didier Domi returned to the club from Newcastle United in 2001 after leaving Paris in 1998. Although he couldn’t quite rediscover the form of his first spell, he was still a good option on the left of the defence.
There’s no doubt, given a few more seasons, Kurzawa would likely replace Domi as the best French left-back in Paris this side of the millennium.
Defensive Midfield: Claude Makelele
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Claude Makelele may have joined the club in the twilight of his career, but his impact goes beyond just his on-field influence.
The fact he played 98 games for the club in his mid-30s shows his professionalism and dedication to the sport—something any young player could learn from these days.
A superb personality and presence in the squad, the guidance the French international gave the squad in the early QSI days will be priceless as this club grows and grows.
Central Midfield: Adrien Rabiot
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Young French midfielder Adrien Rabiot is not only the future of the club, but he’s shown this season he can also be the present.
Although still not a regular in the first-team, he has established himself as an important member of the squad, and if he can show some patience and maturity, he has the ability to become a hero for club and country.
Central Midfield: Blaise Matuidi
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Since he arrived from Saint-Etienne in 2011, Blaise Matuidi has transformed from a promising Ligue 1 talent into one of Europe’s most impressive midfielders.
In over 160 Ligue 1 appearances for the capital club, Matuidi’s hard-working, non-stop running style has caught the imagination of the Parc des Princes crowd and turned him into a fan favourite.
Matuidi is now as important for his country as he is for PSG and easily one of the best players in France.
Right-Wing: Ludovic Giuly
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Known more for his time with AS Monaco and Barcelona, Ludovic Giuly was a star performer in what was a difficult time for PSG.
The French winger scored 16 goals in three seasons as PSG finished as high as fourth but as low as 13th. He would return to the French Riviera as PSG ushered in a new era at the club, but his footwork, dribbling ability and darting runs down the flank will be long remembered.
Left-Wing: Jeremy Menez
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Jeremy Menez is probably one of the most frustrating figures in French football. When he is in the mood, the 28-year-old can be unstoppable.
In 79 league games for the Parisians, Menez scored 14 goals and added 19 assists, but his consistency and dips in performances were far too painful—one of the best on his day but dreadful when he was off-song.
Amazingly, the 12 assists he picked up during his first season were achieved although he frustratingly failed to get his head up and pick out a team-mate on too many occasions. His potential has always been higher than his actual ability.
Centre-Forward: Guillaume Hoarau
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Guillaume Hoarau is perhaps a surprise name in this team, but as PSG struggled at the turn of the century, the attack either featured a lot of flops, or non-Frenchmen.
In fact, since Dominique Rocheteau finished his PSG career in 1987 with 100 goals, no Frenchman has scored as many for the club than Hoarau.
In five seasons, the youth product finished with 56 goals before leaving the club as they searched for bigger-name, higher-profile options.
PSG Overseas XI
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Setting up in an offensive 4-4-2 formation, here is PSG's Overseas XI.
Goalkeeper: Salvatore Sirigu
The Italian goalkeeper was one of the main reasons why PSG won their first title under QSI in 2013. Without Sirigu, the Parisians would have dropped a lot more points in crucial situations.
Up until he was demoted to No. 2 this season, Sirigu had never let PSG down and made very few mistakes. An excellent shot-stopper with great reflexes, he is still well respected by fans and team-mates.
Right-Back: Mario Yepes
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After playing over 180 games for the club, Mario Yepes is well remembered in the capital. Although he is naturally a centre-back, there had to be a way to squeeze Super Mario into this XI. With no outstanding full-backs to pick from, Yepes’ battling, hard-working style would be a benefit to any team.
The Colombian won the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue while playing in Paris. Ironically, he lost his place in the AC Milan starting lineup to a player he would play beside in this back four.
Centre-Back: Thiago Silva
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Possibly the greatest modern-day centre-back over the past five years, Thiago Silva is not only a commanding presence at the heart of the defence, but he plays with a sense of calm and serenity and seems to see danger in slow motion.
The 2014 World Cup effected his form, both before and after, but it doesn’t mask the fact he is still one of the best defenders ever to play at the club.
Centre-Back: Mauricio Pochettino
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Now more known for his managerial exploits in the Premier League, it’s easy to forget the stellar playing career that Mauricio Pochettino enjoyed, especially in his two seasons at PSG.
With his long flowing locks, he was dominant in the air, but he will be better remembered for his 300 appearances for Espanyol. However, the Argentinian centre-back played his part in the PSG team that finished fourth back in 2002.
Left-Back: Gabriel Heinze
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Over three seasons, Gabriel Heinze played 99 league games for PSG, lifting the Coupe de France in 2004 before his big-money move to Manchester United.
Adept at playing at left-back or in the centre, his magic wand of a left-foot was a wonderful addition to the Parisian team. In his last term with the club, he helped them finish second, something they couldn’t match for another eight years.
Defensive Midfield: Marco Verratti
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Ever since Marco Verratti arrived in the French capital, the little Italian midfielder has shown amazing ability, maturity and leadership for someone so young.
Verratti had never played top-flight football until moving from Pescara in 2012. Still just 23 years old, he is one of PSG’s most important players and has quickly turned into one of Europe’s best passers. PSG should do everything in their power to make sure the Italian remains at the club for a very long time.
Defensive Midfield: Thiago Motta
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Thiago Motta was a midfield veteran before he arrived in Paris, having won titles in Spain and Italy before his move in 2012.
He brought his winning mentality to the club and has been an integral part of PSG’s success. It’s easy to forget just how valuable his experience and leadership have been in taking the club to the level they are today.
Right-Wing: Ronaldinho
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He may have only spent two seasons at the French club, but Ronaldinho’s style, flair and infectious smile will never be forgotten at the Parc des Princes.
Bigger stars will likely grace the famous blue-and-red jersey as the years and success continue, but the Brazilian wizard joined the club before they were a European powerhouse—giving the fans reasons to cheer in a period of uncertainty.
He rose to fame after he moved to Barcelona, but it was in Paris where the magician adapted his style to the European game, scoring 17 goals for the club in the process.
Left-Wing: Nene
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Brazilian forward Nene joined PSG after two spells at Monaco and one year before his 30th birthday. The move probably shouldn’t have been a success—there was no fanfare when he arrived, but the fans remembered him when he left.
In his first two seasons at the club, Nene scored 35 goals in 70 appearances, and his 21 goals in the 2012 campaign almost led PSG to the title, but they were narrowly pipped by Montpellier.
He was ushered out of the club as the money and new superstars joined PSG’s new era, but Nene’s magical left-foot has a special place in Parisian hearts.
Centre-Forward: Pauleta
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Portuguese hitman Pauleta arrived in Paris after impressing for Bordeaux in Ligue 1. A move to the capital wasn’t necessarily a move up the league table, but after finishing in 11th place the season before, Pauleta’s goals fired PSG up to second in his first season.
After scoring 42 goals in two campaigns for Bordeaux, he would score 68 times in four seasons, making him one of PSG’s all-time leading goal-scorers—possibly the best striker PSG had seen in the last 15 years…until this next man turned up.
Centre-Forward: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
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What can be said about Zlatan Ibrahimovic that hasn’t been said before?
The giant Swede has scored 98 league goals in four seasons—he’ll easily make that 100 before this campaign is out. He is the club’s all-time leading scoring and has lifted nine domestic trophies since arriving in 2012. He’ll add another league title this season, and you wouldn’t bet against him adding another two cups.
He is quite possibly the greatest player the club have ever seen, and in the future, PSG’s history will be bookmarked with the pre- and post-Zlatan eras. Nothing at the club will ever be the same again.
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