The PSG will align this year an exceptional workforce.
But the teams with the best players are not always the strongest.
Small recent examples, from the Real Madrid of the Galactics to the Brooklyn Nets.
Massi-Neymar-Mbappé.
But also Verratti, Donnarumma, Wijnaldum, Ramos… In short, only stars.
The best.
No one is going to resist such a deployment of forces, it is written, everything is played… or almost.
Because if logic wants that success goes to the greatest talents, there are sometimes exceptions.
Here are four, to remember that this is not the first time that a team has fielded so many stars, and not always with victory at the end.
Which does not mean, of course, that PSG will not succeed in their quest for the Champions League (s).
1. Real Madrid of the Galactics
Zidanes y Pavones.
Stars and players trained at the club.
The Real of the early 2000s is unique.
All the best were recruited there, between 2001 and 2006: Raul to begin with, of course, the Spanish center-forward trained at the club, then Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckham, Owen… All Golden Balls (except Beckham).
All attackers.
But in the end a meager record: a C1 in 2002, and two national titles.
Why it didn't (totally) work:
The exceptional recruitment was above all very well marketed.
Ronaldo for Brazil, Zidane for France, Beckham for the English, Figo for Portugal… The star striker of each country, with the spectacle in the key.
But in the end, an 11 too unbalanced to stay at the top for a long time.
Why PSG should be wary:
With Messi, the club have chosen to add one more element to their already impressive offensive armada.
He will gain even more likes on his Instagram account, but he has not necessarily solved his problems in the recovery of the ball, nor in the position of left side.
2. KD's Brooklyn Nets
Kevin Durand and Kyrie Irving last year.
James Harden then, then Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge.
Never in the space of two years has an NBA franchise formed such a team.
Three of the top five players in the same jersey.
Five All-Stars.
Unparalleled firepower, with just a questioning of the defensive aspect.
Why it hasn't (yet) worked:
Injuries have rotted the development of these Nets, who are veterans.
The trio that were supposed to crush the League hardly ever got to play together, and Aldridge even had to quit his career.
Why PSG should be wary:
Neymar and injuries ... The age of Messi and Ramos ... We do not want to play bad omen, but everything is in place for the infirmary to heat up.
3. Egan Bernal's Ineos Grenadier
Ineos doesn't like to lose.
After winning eight Tours de France out of nine between 2012 and 2019, thanks to Wiggins, Froome, Thomas and Bernal, the 2020 title escapes them.
The young Pogacar caps on the Roglic pole.
So Dave Brailsford strikes a blow last winter, adding to Thomas, Bernal, Carapaz (winner of the Giro 2019) and Tao Geoghegan Hart (winner of the Giro 2020) Richie Porte (3rd of the outgoing Tour), Daniel Martinez (great hope Colombian) and Adam Yates.
Why it didn't work:
Bernal won the Giro, but didn't take part in the Tour.
The Ineos did not exist in the biggest race in the world, and are the best runners-up this year in the end.
Because Tadej Pogacar is the stronger, even if his team don't help much.
And that cycling remains an individual sport.
Why PSG should be wary:
Messi okay, but aging.
Neymar ok, but often injured.
Mbappé ok, but too personal.
What if the best player in the world today wasn't Erling Haaland, the young Norwegian scorer from Borussia Dortmund?
A surprise team that wins the C1 carried by a player on fire, it would not be the first time after all ...
4. The France 2002 team
Reigning world champions, reigning European champions, the Blues seem invincible when they put their title on the line in 2002. To its remarkable defensive qualities, the selection has added attackers on fire.
Henry is England's top scorer, Trézéguet the same in Italy, and Cissé in France.
Zidane is at the top.
Experience, youth, talent: the second star is in the pocket.
Why it did not work:
Of course Zidane injured himself in preparation, orphaning the French environment.
But the Blues do not know how to overcome this absence, victims of their egos and no doubt of having already won too much to be still hungry.
A collection of stars, not a team.
Why the PSG must be wary:
The egos, is not this the Parisian problem that successive coaches complain about?
And will adding Ramos or Messi in the locker room calm things down or make them even more sour?
Chelsea remembered last season in the Champions League that a team is always better than a sum of individuals.
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