PSG find unlikely new hero and more problems after embarrassing £52m order

Russian stopper Matvey Safonov saves four consecutive penalties in Intercontinental Cup shootout but was not congratulated by Ukrainian defender Illia Zabarnyi nor usual No.1 Lucas Chevalier

Russian keeper Matvey Safonov saved four consecutive penalties in the shootout to win the Intercontinental Cup as Paris-Saint Germain found a new hero in the week they lost a huge court case to Kylian Mbappe. But not all his team-mates – including Ukrainian Illia Zabarnyi – joined his celebrations as the French champions won a sixth title of 2025.

Now coach Luis Enrique faces a decision over who he will now pick as his No.1, another issue in a difficult week for the European champions after PSG were ordered by a Paris labour court to pay former captain Mbappe more than £52.7m in unpaid wages and bonuses linked to the end of his contract before his 2024 free transfer to Real Madrid.

But in Qatar, the 6’4” Safonov was the star in only his fourth appearance of the season as PSG beat Brazilian champions Flamengo 2-1 on penalties. The match had finished 1-1.

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“This is the first time I’ve seen a goalkeeper save penalties,” said coach Luis Enrique.

Highly-prized Portugal defender Nuno Mendes said: “I’m happy for him. He’s a very nice person, who laughs with everyone. We’re happy to have him with us. On and off the field, he’s an incredible person.”

However, as first reported by L’Equipe, despite being PSG’s hero, Safonov only gave one brief TV interview and was not made available to the press despite his heroics. It’s claimed that’s because PSG did not want to expose the Russian to potential questions about his relationship with former Bournemouth defender Zabarnyi. He and PSG’s usual No.1 Lucas Chevalier were the only two PSG players not to rush to congratulate Safonov after the win.

After signing for the French club, Zabarnyi said in September: “In my country, a full-scale war has been raging for four years. The Russians are aggressors who are trying in vain to destroy the freedom and independence of Ukraine.

“I do not maintain any personal relations with any Russians. I have to interact with [Safonov] on a professional level during training and fulfil my obligations to the club. But as long as the war continues, I fully support the isolation of Russian football in the world.”

PSG paid £48.3m to sign Lucas Chevalier in the summer after Gianluigi Donnarumma failed to agree a new deal and joined Manchester City. Ex-Lille stopper Chevalier had been the No.1 before he suffered an ankle injury against Monaco and sat out the previous three games.

Enrique then preferred to stick with Safonov than return Chevalier into his lineup against Flamengo – and now he will be difficult to drop.

Asked who is now his first choice goalkeeper, Enrique was in no mood to answer: “Do you really think this is the time to talk about that? It’s time to celebrate this trophy and congratulate everyone, those who played and those who didn’t.”

Flamengo coach, and former Chelsea defender, Filipe Luis said: “The PSG goalkeeper has clearly studied very well. It’s as if he watched our training session yesterday. Truly admirable.

“Congratulations to Paris, who didn’t win the championship solely on penalties. They had a fantastic season and deserved it. I prefer to congratulate Paris and their goalkeeper who saved all those penalties and allowed his team to become champions.”

PSG started 2025 by winning the Trophée des Champions – the French Community Shield – in Qatar and then claimed the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the UEFA Super Cup. Luis Enrique’s side have become just the third in history to win six trophies in a calendar year, after Barcelona (2009) and Bayern Munich (2020).

The only trophy they missed out on was losing the final of the FIFA World Club Cup to Chelsea in July.

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