Illia Zabarnyi’s Champions League Triumph
Illia Zabarnyi, a Ukrainian footballer for Paris Saint-Germain, secured victory in the 2025/26 Champions League season, becoming the fourth Ukrainian ever to claim this prestigious trophy. The tense final saw PSG face Arsenal, with the match decided by a penalty shootout. Despite defender Mendes missing one attempt, the French side emerged victorious.
Zabarnyi started the match on the bench but replaced captain Marquinhos midway through extra time. Though he didn’t get a chance to take a penalty in the shootout, his impact on the game was notable. Arsenal forward Kai Havertz opened the scoring, but PSG equalized with a penalty from Ousmane Dembélé in the second half. Arsenal’s midfielders and defenders also faltered, as Eberechi Eze and center-back Gabriel missed their spot-kicks.
Trophies and New Challenges
In his debut season with PSG, Zabarnyi played 37 matches across all competitions and scored one goal. He now boasts titles including Ligue 1, the French Super Cup, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and the Champions League. He becomes the fourth Ukrainian winner of the Champions League, joining an elite group:
- Andriy Lunin
- Anatoliy Tymoshchuk
- Andriy Shevchenko
Lunin won the trophy twice with Real Madrid in 2022 and 2024, Tymoshchuk with Bayern Munich in the 2012/13 season, and Shevchenko with AC Milan in 2003.
Amid this athletic achievement, the Ukrainian national team has appointed a new head coach, Andrea Maldera, on a two-year contract. At the same time, Mykhailo Mudryk received a four-year suspension following a decision by the English Football Association. On February 26, Mudryk appealed the verdict at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Illia Zabarnyi: 'This is incredible, an incredible club. I want to thank everyone. We worked hard and deserved this. I am proud to be Ukrainian. We are a strong nation, our people are strong, we do not give up.'
Zabarnyi’s Champions League victory is a major milestone not only for the player himself but also for Ukrainian football as a whole. This success highlights the talent and potential of Ukrainian athletes on the global stage. Meanwhile, the coaching change for the national team could signal a new chapter in its development, potentially boosting future performances. Challenges like Mudryk’s suspension also underscore the difficulties Ukrainian sports professionals face at the highest level.
As Zabarnyi celebrates this significant milestone, it's worth noting that he is now among a select group of Ukrainian players who have achieved success in Europe's most prestigious tournament. To learn more about his journey and how he compares to other Ukrainian Champions League winners, read our detailed article highlighting his remarkable achievement.