Brazil Legend Cafu Makes Bold Champions League Final Prediction
Brazilian football icon Cafu has delivered a confident prediction ahead of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, scheduled for Saturday, May 30 in Budapest, Hungary. The former AC Milan and Roma star believes Arsenal will emerge victorious against the defending champions.
Arsenal's Form and PSG's Challenge
Arsenal enter the final after securing their first Premier League title in 22 years, while PSG clinched Ligue 1 and aim to retain their European crown. The Gunners overcame Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate in the semifinals, while PSG edged Bayern Munich 6-5 on aggregate in a thrilling contest.
Cafu emphasized that PSG should fear Arsenal's current form. Speaking to The Mirror, the 55-year-old said: "What Arsenal has to fear is Paris Saint-Germain, without a doubt. What PSG has to fear is Arsenal as a whole."
He praised Arsenal's compact style: "Arsenal today is a team that plays compactly, a team that exploits counter-attacks very well, a team that knows how to both attack and defend, and not to mention that Arsenal's set pieces are a total danger in the opponent's area."
The Brazilian legend added: "They are a really dangerous team. They are a team that knows how to play from set-pieces. They've had a fantastic competition and didn't concede too many goals. That's why I'm sure it's going to be a really big final."
Cafu Highlights Gabriel Magalhaes as Key Player
Cafu also singled out Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes as a potential difference-maker. He described the Brazilian centre-back as a dangerous player in both boxes. "The technical qualities of Gabriel are undeniable, which is why he's been called up for the Brazil national team. He could be one of the first names on the team sheet at the World Cup," Cafu told Sportskeeda.
He continued: "What makes him stand out is that he has as many qualities defending his own box as causing problems in the opponent's penalty area, which makes him a very dangerous player."
Kanu Also Backs Arsenal
Earlier, Nigerian legend Nwankwo Kanu had also backed Arsenal to beat PSG, stating that the North London side now possess the mentality and belief required to conquer Europe. Arsenal are seeking their first-ever Champions League title, while PSG aim for a second consecutive triumph after their emphatic 5-0 win over Inter Milan in last season's final.
