Mkhitaryan’s last dance? Veteran ready to lead Inter Milan in UCL Final

At 36, Henrikh Mkhitaryan is chasing the Champions League dream again, with experience and quality set to be vital for Inter Milan in the final against PSG

One of Simone Inzaghi’s most-used players, the Armenian veteran will be crucial for his quality and experience in the Champions League final against PSG.

At 36, Henrikh Mkhitaryan is facing a new opportunity. His mind and feet carry memories of two Champions League finals — but only one actually played. 

In 2023, a thigh injury knocked him out just before the final in Istanbul. Despite a desperate attempt to recover, he only came on in the final minutes of the match, which Inter Milan lost 1-0 to Guardiola’s Manchester City.

"This time, it’s different," is the feeling. The Armenian wants to make the most of this chance to lift the most prestigious club trophy with Inter Milan.

Saturday’s final carries even more meaning for Mkhitaryan. In addition to missing the 2023 final, he was also forced to sit out the 2018/2019 Europa League final — Chelsea vs Arsenal in Baku — due to political tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the time.

Despite those missed opportunities, Mkhitaryan has celebrated European success: winning the Europa League with Manchester United in 2016/17 and the Conference League with Roma in 2021/22.

He was rested against Como to recharge and is expected to start in midfield alongside Barella and Calhanoglu. 

Mkhitaryan is the fourth most-used outfield player under Inzaghi this season, with 3,482 minutes played across all competitions, trailing only Bastoni (3,836’), Barella (3,717’), and Lautaro (3,643’).

A Career of missed Finals and European glory: Mkhitaryan’s legacy on the line

The final in Munich could also shape his future. For Mkhitaryan, it’s even more significant as it may influence his decision to retire. 

Though his contract runs until 2026, he has recently spoken of this season as the most physically demanding of his career and hinted at the possibility of stepping away from football after a long spell at the top.

One more year at Inter Milan, potentially with reduced playing time, could allow him to mentor younger midfielders and pass on his experience. However, that decision will only come after the Champions League final.

This season, he’s been almost ever-present in the competition, sitting out only the matches against Feyenoord and Bayer Leverkusen.

Source: Fcinter1908.it