The UEFA Champions League final pits Paris Saint-Germain against Inter Milan in a game that goes beyond tactics – it’s a battle between two vastly different football ownership models.
American Capitalism vs Middle Eastern State Wealth
In 2021, Oaktree Capital, a Los Angeles-based investment firm, quietly rebranded its “Distressed Debt” division as “Opportunistic Credit.” Known for investing in struggling businesses, Oaktree’s strategy is clear: find undervalued assets, fix them up, and profit.
That’s exactly what happened with Inter Milan. When the Chinese-owned Suning group defaulted on a loan repayment, Oaktree took control of the club. Initially a financial rescue mission, the investment has since transformed into a billion-pound asset thanks to Inter’s unexpected but impressive run to the Champions League final.
Inter’s Conservative, Cost-Controlled Rise
Inter Milan’s path to the final is a story of financial discipline. Big names like Achraf Hakimi and André Onana were sold to balance the books. The squad is older, the stadium outdated, and sponsorship deals lag behind Europe’s elite. Despite these hurdles, the team has delivered results, guided by a philosophy of minimal spending and maximum efficiency.
Howard Marks, Oaktree’s co-founder, often says: “Avoid the losers, and the winners take care of themselves.” In footballing terms, Inter is proving the value of this strategy.
PSG: State-Backed Power and Tactical Revolution
On the other side is Paris Saint-Germain, a team rebuilt by Qatari investment to become not just a football club, but a global brand. This season, PSG has taken a turn toward youth, charisma, and likeability – a new image carefully crafted through elite signings and global marketing.
Despite the fresh image, PSG’s spending remains eye-watering. Désiré Doué (£45M), Bradley Barcola (£40M), and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (£60M) are just a few examples. This is sportswashing executed with precision – a political soft power play masked as a footballing revolution.
A Tactical Battle Reflecting Boardroom Philosophies
This final is more than just a tactical contrast – it’s the embodiment of two distinct ideologies:
- PSG: Attack-minded, risk-taking, and deeply resourced.
- Inter: Defensive, pragmatic, and built on financial caution.
One relies on raw power and influence, the other on patience and discipline. For fans and purists, Inter may be the underdog story. But neither club can claim purity – one is backed by geopolitics, the other by cold, calculated capitalism.
The Bigger Question: Who Truly Owns Football?
Until football clubs are truly owned by their communities, fans will continue to see their teams as tools – either of state agendas or investor profits. The 2025 UEFA Champions League Final becomes not just a sporting spectacle but a reflection of football’s modern identity crisis.
