“Luis Enrique thanks Roma’s coach after victory in the Champions League.”

Luis Enrique has reached the pinnacle of the UEFA Champions League for the third time in his career, joining a select group of legendary coaches, following Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) dramatic victory over Arsenal in a penalty shootout last Saturday night. However, away from the celebration spotlight, the Spanish coach took a special moment to thank a key figure in his life and career: Claudio Bisceglia, a former colleague and mentor at Roma.

In a conclusion decided by the lottery of penalties—something that hadn’t happened in a Champions League final for a decade—Kai Havertz put Arsenal ahead early in the second half, but Ousmane Dembélé equalized from the spot, leading the match to a cruel finale. The mistakes by Ebere Eze and Gabriel Magalhães in the shootout allowed PSG to secure the trophy for the second consecutive time, reinforcing their European supremacy.

With this victory, Luis Enrique enters the pantheon of coaches with three Champions League titles, joining names such as Pep Guardiola, Zinedine Zidane, and Bob Paisley, although still far from the absolute record of Carlo Ancelotti, with five victories. At the end of the match in Budapest, the coach did not forget those who accompanied him on his journey: “I have to thank my dear friend Claudio Bisceglia, a player and teacher at Roma, a true friend,” Enrique confessed in an interview with Sky Sports.

Claudio Bisceglia, who serves as a language teacher and interpreter at Roma, had previously been recognized by Luis Enrique during his first Champions League triumph in 2015 with Barcelona. His importance extends beyond the linguistic realm, having played a crucial role in negotiations between the current Roma coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, and the club’s English owners, the Friedkins. Even José Mourinho, during one of his stints at the Stadio Olimpico, described Bisceglia as a “phenomenon,” highlighting his discreet yet decisive influence.

This victory for PSG, under the leadership of Luis Enrique, is not only a milestone in the coach’s career but also a tribute to those who helped him overcome barriers both on and off the pitch. The 2026 Champions League will forever be marked by this homage, demonstrating that, at times, success depends as much on talent on the field as it does on the silent support behind the scenes.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.