Another triumph

Last Saturday, Paris Saint-Germain beat Arsenal on penalties to win the Champions League for the second year running. The French side had already lifted the trophy for the first time in their history last season.

In both campaigns, the captain was Marquinhos.

Now aged 32, the Brazilian defender is the most successful player in PSG’s history.

Born Marcos Aoás Corrêa in São Paulo on 14 May 1994, Marquinhos began his career in the Corinthians youth ranks at the age of eight. Ten years later, in 2012, he was promoted to the first team before moving to Roma a few months later.

His impressive performances in Italy quickly caught the eye of PSG, who took a big gamble on the young defender, then just 19 years old.

Since then, his name has become synonymous with the French club.

A decade of dominance and records at the club

He has now spent 13 seasons in Paris, played over 500 matches and holds the record for the most appearances in PSG’s history. During this time, Marquinhos has amassed a collection of trophies: 11 Ligue 1 titles, eight French Cups and, of course, two consecutive Champions League titles.

Since 2020, he has also worn the captain’s armband, taking on the role following Thiago Silva’s departure. Over the years, he has established himself as one of the leading players in his position and an inspiration for the new generation of centre-backs.

When Lucas Beraldo joined PSG from São Paulo in 2024, the defender was keen to highlight the influence Marquinhos had had on his career: “There are many players from Brazil who have worn this shirt and been very important, like Marquinhos, who is now the captain. [...] I had a dream of playing alongside him.” (Paris Saint-Germain - YouTube)

Much of the admiration Marquinhos inspires in other players goes beyond his technical ability. His leadership, maturity and sense of responsibility have made him a role model both on and off the pitch. These qualities have also marked his career with the Brazilian national team, where he has established himself as one of the squad’s key leaders and the most consistent captain since the 2022 World Cup.

The consistency of his performances over the years has also earned him individual recognition. In 2019, Marquinhos was nominated for the Ballon d’Or after a season in which he helped PSG win the Ligue 1 title and the Trophée des Champions, as well as lifting the Copa América trophy with Brazil.

The gesture that defined the final

Winning the Champions League in 2025 was yet another chapter in a career marked by titles and great moments. But the image that resonated most after the final was not that of Marquinhos lifting the trophy alongside his teammates.

After defender Gabriel Magalhães missed the decisive penalty that handed PSG the title, Marquinhos was the first player to run over and embrace him, even before beginning the celebrations with his team. The scene quickly gained prominence around the world.

The gesture stemmed from genuine empathy. After all, Marquinhos knows exactly what it’s like to experience that kind of pain. In the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, it was he who missed the penalty that ultimately sealed Brazil’s elimination against Croatia.

In a post-match interview, the captain explained the reason behind his gesture: “I thought about the moment I went through myself, which was very difficult, and I simply wanted to give him a hug and tell him that I’ve been through it too. I know how hard it is, that he’s had an incredible season, he deserves great things, and that we’ll be back together again very soon. We really need him; he’s a very important player, so I hope he can enjoy this moment as Premier League champion, get over the penalty soon, and focus on the national team, which will be very important.” (TNT Sports)

Empathy, leadership and international respect

Marquinhos’s attitude was praised worldwide, by both PSG and Arsenal fans – and perhaps even more so by fans of the Brazilian national team. This is because, looking ahead to the World Cup, the pair are expected to form Ancelotti’s first-choice centre-back partnership. Seeing this kind of respect between two Brazilian players, even though they play for opposing clubs, ultimately renews the hope of those who dream of Brazil winning the World Cup again after more than two decades.

Another player keen to highlight Marquinhos’ importance in PSG’s winning squad was his teammate Vitinha, already a two-time Ballon d’Or nominee: “Marquinhos deserves this more than anyone. [...] He’s had many years of suffering here, and I think he’s a true leader and deserves all of this.” (TNT Sports)

The “years of suffering” mentioned by Vitinha refer to PSG’s frustrating Champions League campaigns over the years, prior to last season’s unprecedented triumph – which paved the way for a string of titles.

Even in the face of these disappointments, Marquinhos never lost his composure. He continued to lead, encouraging the squad and maintaining the conviction that the club would reach the top. That mentality was ultimately rewarded in style.

The national team manager, Ancelotti, also praised the defender’s attitude after the final and the incident involving Gabriel Magalhães. In an interview, he said: “It was a very nice gesture from a teammate. Marquinhos’s performance is that of a spectacular professional.” (Terra Brasil)

Marquinhos and Gabriel were both named in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season. Now, the centre-back pairing join the Brazilian national team with the mission of bringing to the squad the same solidity, maturity and team spirit seen throughout the competition – especially in the final.

Marquinhos’ honours with Paris Saint-Germain

  • 2x UEFA Champions League (2024-25, 2025-26)

  • 11x Ligue 1 (2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25, 2025–26)

  • 8x French Cup (2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2023–24, 2024–25)

  • 6x French League Cup (2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019–20)

  • 10x French Super Cup (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)

  • 1x UEFA Super Cup (2025)

  • 1x FIFA Intercontinental Cup (2025)