Ukrainian Presence Secured in the Champions League Final
Illia Zabarnyi, a defender for Ukraine’s national team and French club Paris Saint-Germain, has become the fifth Ukrainian footballer to reach a Champions League final. This milestone was achieved after PSG defeated the German side Bayern Munich in the semifinals. The first leg between PSG and Bayern ended 5–4 in favor of the French club, while the second leg finished in a 1–1 draw. Although Zabarnyi was included in PSG’s squad for both matches against Bayern, he did not take the field.
This marks PSG’s third Champions League final appearance, and their second in a row. In 2020, the team lost to Bayern, while in 2024, PSG defeated Inter to claim the title. The 2025/26 Champions League final is scheduled for May 30 in Budapest. This final will be the tenth in history to feature a Ukrainian player, and Ukraine will have a representative in the Champions League final for the first time in two years.
Ukrainian Footballers’ Achievements in the Champions League
Illia Zabarnyi joined PSG from Bournemouth for €63 million. In the current season, he has played 33 matches and scored 1 goal. Looking at other Ukrainians who have appeared in Champions League finals:
- Andriy Shevchenko played in the 2003 (Milan), 2005 (Milan), and 2008 (Chelsea) finals.
- Anatoliy Tymoshchuk featured in the 2010, 2012, and 2013 finals for Bayern Munich.
- Oleksandr Zinchenko played in the 2021 final for Manchester City.
- Andriy Lunin participated in the 2022 and 2024 finals for Real Madrid.
In total, four Ukrainians have won Champions League finals: Shevchenko (2003), Tymoshchuk (2013), Zinchenko (2021), and Lunin (2022, 2024). It is also worth noting that Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane became the fourth player from Europe’s top five leagues to score 60 goals in a season, reaching that milestone during the second leg of the Champions League semifinal against PSG.
Illia Zabarnyi’s experience in the Champions League final—even without stepping onto the pitch—highlights the growing presence of Ukrainian footballers on the international stage.
PSG’s semifinal victory was a landmark moment not just for the club, but for Ukrainian football as well, as it marks the first time in two years that a Ukrainian has reached the final of this prestigious tournament. This reflects a resurgence of Ukrainian football’s strength on the European scene.
As Ukraine celebrates its fifth representative in a Champions League final, fans are eager to see how Zabarnyi's performance will unfold, especially considering the history of Ukrainian players in this prestigious tournament. His inclusion in PSG's squad adds to the excitement surrounding the final, highlighting the significance of Ukrainian talent on the European stage.