Former Brazilian full-back Maxwell has detailed his deeper emotional attachment to Paris Saint-Germain over his former club FC Barcelona, Foot Mercato reported, as the two European giants prepare to meet in the UEFA Champions League. Both institutions shaped the defender’s career during his playing days, but the French capital side ultimately left a more lasting personal impression.

Divided Loyalties Between Two European Giants

The fixture brings together two pillars of modern European football where Maxwell spent significant portions of his career. Ahead of the 21:00 CEST kickoff, the former defender spoke to the Spanish publication Sport about how his affections are split between the Camp Nou and the Parc des Princes. While his time in Spain yielded major silverware, his day-to-day existence in Paris forged a distinct bond.

“It’s difficult to say, because I have a slightly different relation with PSG,” Maxwell told Sport, as reported by Foot Mercato. “I have a lot of respect for Barça, an enormous affection. A club that, in the sporting part, gave me the great successes of my life. I shared a locker room with players that I could never have imagined. I have a lot of affection, but obviously I have a different relation with PSG, because of a lot of things that I lived at the club.”

Trophies in Catalonia Versus Life in Paris

Maxwell acknowledged that his most glittering sporting triumphs occurred during his stint with the Catalan side, where he featured alongside world-class teammates at the peak of their powers. Yet the day-to-day experience of building the ambitious project in Paris created a separate category of memories for the Brazilian.

The comments arrive as the UEFA Champions League schedule pits PSG against FC Barcelone.