David Ginola Reflects on PSG’s Transformation from the 90s to Today

omidbasir- David Ginola made 158 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and secured four trophies with the club after joining in 1992, a period marked by substantial investment from Canal Plus aimed at transforming PSG into a prominent brand. Following the acquisition of PSG by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011, the club experienced further evolution to enhance its global standing.

In an exclusive interview with GOAL, Ginola expressed that the arrival of ambitious new owners is the only comparable aspect between his PSG team and the current squad.

He stated, “I understand your question, and I know it has been asked numerous times, but I find it challenging to make comparisons between the 1990s and the 2020s. Back then, we didn’t have mobile phones, the internet, or social networks. The training facilities, if you look at them now compared to the PSG training ground, are vastly different. I met a woman who introduced me to modern recovery methods; in our time, we had to rely on our own judgment.

“Thus, it is difficult to draw parallels. However, I can say that the Canal Plus era was a significant period, culminating in the Cup Winners’ Cup victory in 1996. Since QSI’s takeover in 2011, everything has progressed remarkably. After 14 years, by 2025, the club has accumulated six trophies in a single year. What more can one say about a club’s success?

“The club is now well-known globally. For instance, during my recent trip to Bangkok, the PSG jersey was as popular as those of Liverpool and Manchester United, the two most beloved clubs in Thailand. Paris is now recognized in Asia, which signifies progress, respect, and above all, success.”

Ginola still holds PSG close to his heart. When asked about his feelings for the club after all these years, he remarked, “It’s incredible. I came from a smaller club, Brest, where I earned my first cap with the French national team. After the club’s bankruptcy, I became a free agent and had offers from Marseille, Bordeaux, Monaco, as well as PSG, which was the premier club in France at the time. I chose to join Paris in 1992, and it has been an extraordinary journey from beginning to end.

“My experiences in Paris were fantastic. Arriving as a young player with a promising career, I had to prove myself daily in training and gain acceptance from fans and teammates. This was my commitment for four years, as we played every match and competed for every trophy.

“We were a youthful team entering the Canal Plus era, and at that point, we were not well-recognized in Europe. We had to demonstrate our ability to compete with the best. Our first European campaign began in Napoli, where we achieved a victory and reached the semi-finals for three consecutive years. We won a league title, two French Cups, and a League Cup over those four years. I was named Players’ Player of the Year in 1993-94. It was a profound journey with Paris Saint-Germain, a club that holds immense significance in my life.”

Ginola spoke with GOAL at PSG’s new ‘La Maison’ experience located in a townhouse in London, where the aim is to introduce a new audience to the club’s ‘creative universe’ encompassing sport, culture, and the Parisian lifestyle.

He commented on the venue, saying, “The house is remarkable, ideally situated in the heart of London. Each floor offers something unique, from wellness to shopping, dining, and various partners. I think it’s a wonderful place where I could spend several days. The decor is tastefully understated; it’s not overly branded with red and blue. Instead, it features subtle elements, like a single Eiffel Tower, that are well-integrated and reflect Paris without being flashy.”