Jamie Carragher has issued a public apology to Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique on live television, burying the hatchet after a two-year rift sparked by Carragher's support for Borussia Dortmund. The Liverpool legend, who previously admitted his actions led Enrique to refuse interviews with CBS Sports, seized the moment after PSG secured their place in a second consecutive Champions League final.
PSG Book Final Spot
A 1-1 draw away to Bayern Munich ensured a 6-5 aggregate victory, setting up a final showdown with Arsenal in Budapest later this month. Following the match, comical scenes unfolded as CBS, where Carragher was on punditry duty, secured an unexpected interview with Enrique. The CBS panel, including Thierry Henry, Micah Richards, and Clint Dempsey, were quizzing PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi when the Spaniard arrived.
Carragher's Apology
Before discussing the match, Carragher apologised for his behaviour two years prior, which had caused Enrique to snub a CBS interview. During the semi-final first leg between Dortmund and PSG, Carragher watched with Dortmund fans, drinking pints and wearing a Dortmund scarf. When Enrique saw Carragher in opposition colours after a 1-0 defeat, he refused the interview.
Carragher said: “Luis, I would like to apologise for my behaviour in Dortmund, for the semi-final. I had a Dortmund scarf on, but sometimes, as we all know, when we have had a few drinks, we get a little bit carried away. So, I apologise. We absolutely loved your team, what they did last year and you’ve been an absolute joy to watch for the last two years in the Champions League. Congratulations for making the final again, well done sir.”
Enrique accepted the apology, replying: “Thank you, thank you. You don’t have to apologise.” He then spoke of his pride in his team and how difficult the season had been.
Match Details
After a thrilling 4-4 draw in the first leg, Ousmane Dembele’s third-minute goal in the Allianz Arena gave PSG the perfect start. Bayern pressed but only managed a stoppage-time equaliser from Harry Kane, making it 1-1 on the night, but the holders advanced. Enrique said: “We could leave the match with a lot of intensity. The defence were better than the attack. The character we showed against a team like Bayern is so positive. We’re so happy to reach a second Champions League final in a row. It was very intense. Very difficult. Both teams are similar; we love to press higher. We are very happy.”
The result was an early birthday present for Enrique, who turns 56 on Friday. He added: “In two days I’m going to celebrate my birthday. I’m very happy. We’re in the next phase of the competition, the final of the Champions League. We want to give our supporters that kind of gift.”
