Fashion and soccer (or football, to most of the world) have so much more in common than you might think. It’s not just about the kits, though they are a fashion staple for both die-hard fans and those who have never watched a game in their lives. It’s the fact that they are uniting forces; unspoken languages that translate from one end of the earth to another—worlds that only a few make a living in, but billions participate in. Depending on where you are, there might be a difference in style (of play or fashion) or top players (teams or designers), but at the end of the day, there is a common understanding about what it all means for the collective.
On May 31, these parallels will manifest in rare form when the teams of two European fashion capitals, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan, face off in the Champions League final.
For fans of soccer and fashion, the story of this game writes itself. Like their fashion counterparts, PSG and Inter Milan are very different teams, both vying to be the best of the best, maintaining their legacy status, while innovating with the new generation. New players come and go, but the craftsmanship and the dedication remain. And because of this, it’s only appropriate to create a short guide to some of the team’s star players using the legacy fashion houses of the city they represent.
In Paris, this season has been all about resilience. Last season PSG lost its top player, Kylian Mbappé, who moved to Real Madrid. Most people thought it would be a rebuilding year, but like a new creative director pulling out all the stops on their first collection at a legacy brand, this young team created magic. Ousmane Dembélé, the team’s star forward, scores in nearly every match and can famously play with both feet. Like French fashion house Louis Vuitton, he’s versatile and nimble, always adjusting to deliver consistent results. Off the pitch, the 28-year-old has a casual but sharp style, wearing suits in and out of practice and games. Achraf Hakimi, the right back, is the Yves Saint Laurent of the team. He is the backbone of the pitch with a large presence that spans the entire field. (In another comparative twist, the Moroccan player’s home country houses the YSL museum.) Bradley Barcola, the team’s versatile winger, is like Loewe. At just 22-years-old his style of play is still classic but innovative. His personal style brings a classic French flair with a youthful twist, often styling berets with jerseys and denim.
On the Milan side is a team that harkens all of the experience and history of the city it represents; loud but steady. Denzel Dumfries is the team’s defending right back, who became a surprise goal scorer this past season. And aside from the fun allieration, he’s the Diesel of the team: you may have a good understanding of what you’re going to get, but there is always a twist that has the whole world talking. Like Versace, goalie Yann Sommer solidified himself as a key component of success in a short amount of time. Though he’s had a long career, he’s only been on the team for two seasons. Still he’s a staple. Lautaro Martínez has been sidelined because of injury (and even slightly before that) but is expected to play a role in the game. And because fashion loves a comeback story, he’s a natural Gucci, ever evolving despite setbacks.
The flaw in this comparison is, of course, the fact that at the final there will only be one winner. Still—and perhaps this is a bit earnest, but stay with me—no matter if it’s the runway or the pitch, the job is to create something beyond words. Nowhere does that better than Milan and Paris.
