Whatever the outcome, the 2026-27 season will be a landmark year for Paris Saint-Germain Handball. After eleven years in Rouge et Bleu, Luka Karabatic is set to hang up the boots. An iconic captain for almost seven years, 'Loulou' is ready to embark on the final chapter of his career: “I feel pretty good; I’m at peace with it. In any case, that’s the mindset I want to approach this final season with.”
“I’m trying to savour every moment as much as possible because this is the time of year when you find yourself thinking that everything you do could potentially be the last time.”
Having been immersed in sport from a very young age, Luka is about to make the transition from a structured lifestyle to complete freedom. When asked what he will miss most once his career is over, the Rouge et Bleu captain hesitates: “It’s hard to say; I think there’ll be lots of things. The camaraderie, being with my team-mates, sharing big moments on and off the court.”
One thing is certain: he’s not short of plans for the future: “I can’t see myself working as an employee anywhere, or becoming a coach, nor working in the technical side of handball, but I think I’ll carry on passing on my passion to younger players through the Karabatic training camps. Nikola and I also have a foundation; we’re involved in quite a few sports projects and I’d like to keep developing them. We’ll see – I also want to give myself some time to see what life has in store for me.”
Teammates at Paris Saint-Germain between 2015 and 2024, Luka and Nikola Karabatic formed one of the finest partnerships in the club’s history. Two years after his brother retired, the iconic number 22 will also be leaving with legendary status. To find out how to approach this final dance, our pivot spoke at length with Niko – but that wasn’t all.
“I was able to see how he approached things and how he was dealing with the end of his career. It was very inspiring for me. Having him by my side and knowing he’s been through all that is a real privilege. I ask him loads of questions and draw inspiration from him, but also from other team-mates who’ve retired, because I’m reaching a stage in my career where almost everyone from my generation has retired. I’m one of the last ones left, so I’m trying to draw on their experience and take their advice. That said, everyone goes through it in their own way. There are 100 different stories for 100 players.”
And so we have reached the final chapter in the story of Luka Karabatic, the player. The capital club captain announced this decision a few months ago. “I think it’s been quite a long process. It’s not a decision you make on your own. There’s also your family and the club. It’s a joint decision,” he explained. It is indeed difficult to draw a line under a career spanning nearly two decades, but “when you reach 38 or 39, you know you’re nearing the end”.
The Rouge et Bleu pivot reached the age of 38 last April, making him the most experienced player in the squad ahead of new signings Bjarki Elisson (36) and Rodrigo Corrales (35). Does that give him even more of a desire to pass on his knowledge to the younger players? “Yes, of course!” he replied without hesitation. “I’ve been at the club for 12 years, so I feel a bit like I’m part of the furniture. I want the new arrivals and the younger players to experience that; I want to pass on the right values. Now, of course, as the longest-serving player in the squad, the club's all-time appearances leader and the captain, I have the potential to send an even stronger message.”
“All-time appearances leader.” The smile on our captain’s lips as he utters these words reveals his pride in what he has achieved so far. Ahead of the start of the 2026-27 season this Saturday against former club Montpellier in the Trophée des Champions, Luka Karabatic is already a Parisian legend. A name that will echo through the stands at Coubertin for many years to come. As proof of this, he could win his 22nd trophy in Rouge et Bleu on Saturday, which would make him the most successful player in the club’s history, ahead of Mikkel Hansen.
As such, this coming season holds some very significant objectives, both individually and as a team. Luka, however, does not want to put any more pressure on himself and hopes to be able to “enjoy it, have fun”. At least, that is what comes across most clearly from his conversations with his former team-mates: “Every time, the word that comes up is ‘enjoy it’, because it goes by so quickly. I’m already realising that now – it goes by very quickly.”
“When you’re right in the thick of your career, you’re inevitably focused on your goals and your work; you want to win everything. I still want to do that, but I feel there’s a possibility of doing it a bit differently.”
Stefan Madsen and the whole team will be determined to give their all to help Luka finish on the best possible note. After a six-year absence, Rodrigo Corrales made no secret of his delight at returning to his former captain: “He’s an example to us all, because he’s won it all. He’s a true professional, a genuine Paris Saint-Germain legend, and being able to play alongside him for his final season is incredible.”
All the ingredients seem to be in place to make this final season a memorable one. A final chapter, a final dance with multiple objectives: “Obviously, to win titles” but also “to have no regrets and to have pushed myself to the limit, whilst finishing the season in good health, of course”. One thing is certain: our captain will be counting on the support of his fans throughout the season to pay tribute to a truly great champion, both on and off the court.
