'Almost meant to be!' - Gary Lineker backs PSG to win Champions League because of Kylian Mbappe exit

PSG booked their place in the Champions League final by beating Arsenal over two legs, while Inter got there after a pulsating victory over Barcelona in a modern-day European classic. Now, with the two sides set to lock horns in Germany, Lineker has backed the French side to go all the way, an achievement that would be all the more impressive given Kylian Mbappe's move to Real Madrid in the summer.

Lineker believes there would be a certain poetry to PSG going all the way in their first season without the Frenchman. PSG have never won the Champions League but the stars may well align this time around, with Mbappe watching on from the sidelines; Arsenal beat Real Madrid, but were unable to get past the World Cup winner's former employers.

Speaking on The Rest is Football, Lineker said: "I fancy PSG. I think it's their time. I think it's almost meant to be that Mbappe goes and then they win the damn thing! He goes to Real Madrid, that always wins, and then they don't. It'd be the first time in their history (PSG's), I think they won the European Cup Winners Cup in 1996, but this is obviously, for them, the Holy Grail. I've got a feeling it's almost meant to be this season."

The final takes place on May 31 in Munich. PSG and Inter have never faced each other in a competitive game.