Philipp Lahm Criticizes Champions League Closed Shop as Only 5 Countries Have Produced Winners Since 2004
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 28
Philipp Lahm Criticizes Champions League Closed Shop as Only 5 Countries Have Produced Winners Since 2004
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 28
Philipp Lahm argued before Saturday’s final in Budapest that the Champions League has become a “gated community,” with only clubs from Spain, Italy, Germany, France and England winning since Porto’s 2004 title.
PSG and Arsenal still deserve to contest this year’s final, he wrote, praising Luis Enrique and Mikel Arteta for building highly organized teams rather than relying on star power alone.
Arsenal’s structure was his clearest example: they have conceded just 6 goals in 14 Champions League matches and remain unbeaten, while Bayern let in 20 and were exposed by PSG’s attacks against man-marking.
Lahm said clubs from smaller leagues cannot sustain elite squads because their domestic competitions are too small and less lucrative, leaving former powers such as Benfica and Ajax unable to keep pace.
He tied that critique to Budapest and Hungary’s football heritage, arguing Europe should widen participation and give countries outside the dominant 5 a real path back into top-level club football.
As Premier League spending soars, are UEFA's financial rules strong enough to save European competition?
Can Hungary's political rebirth spark a football revival that challenges the continent's elite 'gated community'?
Will Arsenal's record-breaking defense be the key to finally ending PSG's quest for a Champions League title?