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Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have become one of European football's superclubs since their takeover by the Qatari Sports Investment (QSI) backed by the Qatar royal family. The glitz and glamour associated with the city of Paris have turned PSG into a domestic powerhouse. They are also well placed to compete for the Champions League, doing well for a club founded only in 1970.
Players like Neymar, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva are all bonafide PSG legends, who were expensively recruited by the club since their QSI takeover in 2011. PSG, though, have also had other legends prior to their takeover by QSI. Here are the five best PSG players before the club's QSI takeover:
#5 Sylvian Armand
Sylvian Armand was one of the key players at the time of PSG's QSI takeover in 2009.
Joining PSG in 2004, the French full-back made 380 appearances in the PSG blue. At the time of his departure in 2013, he was the club's longest-serving player, earning the nickname 'Mr. PSG'.
The 2007 PSG Player of the Season winner was a regular even after Carlo Ancellotti's arrival at the Parisian club, when big money was spent on high-profile talent.
The 2012-13 Ligue 1 triumph, which was PSG's first league title in over two decades, was a fitting farewell to a loyal legend like Armand. In total, he won one league title, two Coupe de France titles and one Coupe de la Ligue at PSG.
#4 Rai
The 1994 FIFA World Cup winner, Rai joined PSG in 1993 at a time when Canal+ brought wealth to the club. He proceeded to play a key role for the club in the next five seasons.
The Brazilian holding midfielder was key in winning seven titles with PSG. He proved himself as one of the best PSG players of all time, along with Safet Susic.
Rai won league and cup titles as well as the prestigious EUFA Cup Winner's Cup in 1996. That was PSG's first-ever continental trophy as the ambitious French team broke new ground.
Rai was immense in the second leg of that final. He scored twice in the 3-1 home win against Parma. In 1997-98, Rai scored in the Coupe de la Ligue and Coupe de France finals against Bordeaux and Lens, respectively; the Parisians won both games.
#3 George Weah
The current president of Liberia and the only African Ballon d'Or winner, George Weah joined PSG in 1992 from rivals Monaco. He spent three seasons at the club, which helped raised his profile across Europe.
With Coupe De France trophies in 1993 and 1995 as well as the French League in 1994, Weah's PSG spell was a highly successful one.
Following his PSG exploits, he went on to AC Milan and Chelsea. But it was at PSG where he truly established himself. He was the top scorer in the 1994-95 UEFA Champions League with seven goals. Weah scored an amazing solo goal against Bayern Munich that season, a legendary strike in the club's annals.
A return of 56 goals in 133 games meant Weah was easily one of the most recognisable stars from Paris before his eventual move to AC Milan. Weah's skill and athleticism made him the standout African player of his generation.
#2 Ronaldinho
The beloved smiling assassin Ronaldinho defined a generation of fun-loving footballers with serious ability and dexterity.
Before his famous spell at Barcelona, where he won the Champions League and the Balon D'Or in 2005, the then 21-year-old enjoyed his first European adventure at PSG, whom he joined in 2001 from Gremio.
He lined up alongside the likes of Mikel Arteta, Jay Jay Okacha and Nicolas Anelka. Ronaldinho played a starring role in what is now a cult-classic PSG team, renowned for their sublime skill and technical ability.
In his two-year stint in Paris, PSG won the UEFA Intertoto Cup and consistently participated in European Competition. With his pedigree rising to unprecedented heights after Brazil's 2002 FIFA World Cup win, Ronaldinho left PSG.
In just two seasons at the club, Ronaldinho recorded 25 goals and 17 assists.,But, most importantly, he was a fan-favourite, establishing himself as a modern-day PSG legend.
#1 Pauleta
Before Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Portugal's Pauleta starred in the PSG frontline in the 2000s. Pauleta joined PSG ahead of the 2003-04 season, after two excellent years as Portugal's main striker.
His spell at PSG spanning 211 games saw Pauleta score a remarkable 109 goals. He made his name as one of Europe's premier marksmen, retiring as the club's record goalscorer before Ibrahimovic and Cavani surpassed him..He has maintained a connection with the club as an official ambassador, Pauleta is still adored by the PSG faithful.
