Paris Saint-Germain are a club that have long sought more than domestic dominance—they crave global legitimacy. And as they approach a seismic FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against Real Madrid, manager Luis Enrique has made it clear: this is about writing history, not just reaching another final.
Fresh off a dramatic quarter-final triumph over Bayern Munich, the Parisians now face a familiar foe. Real Madrid—undefeated in this tournament’s history—stand between them and a chance to claim the one title that has eluded the club. The stakes are immense, the occasion even bigger.
“This is a semi-final of the Club World Cup,” Enrique told reporters at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference. “That alone says everything. For some of these players, this could be their only shot at this competition. Everyone in the squad understands what’s on the line—we’re here to make history.”
PSG and Real Madrid have squared off a dozen times, with the Spanish giants edging the head-to-head 5-4. But past numbers do little to capture the present intensity. With both sides in top form, and a place in the final hanging in the balance, this is a meeting of European titans with a global crown at stake.
Enrique was measured but confident. “We’re motivated by the chance to be world champions,” he said. “It’s not about who’s favourite. It’s about rising to the moment.”
Few clubs know how to navigate moments like this better than Real Madrid. The 14-time European champions have an unmatched pedigree in knockout football and bring a 17-game unbeaten run in the Club World Cup into Wednesday’s clash at MetLife Stadium. Since 2014, they’ve won 15 of their last 16 matches in the competition, their only blemish being a recent draw against Al Hilal.
Despite the daunting task, Enrique isn’t fazed. In fact, he sees in Madrid’s new manager Xabi Alonso the beginning of another formidable chapter in the club’s legacy.
“Alonso’s just getting started there, and it’s hard to fully analyse his team yet,” Enrique said. “But he has everything he needs to succeed. His squad is loaded with individual talent. We’re in different phases—I’ve had two years here at PSG, he’s just beginning his journey at Madrid.”
Perhaps the most compelling subplot surrounds Kylian Mbappe. The French forward, who made a blockbuster move to Real Madrid in 2024, could face his former club for the first time. Intriguingly, Mbappe has yet to score or assist in any of his four matches against PSG—a rare dry spell for a player known for rising to the moment.
That storyline alone would be enough to command headlines. But for Luis Enrique and PSG, the focus is sharper than any individual narrative. It’s not about revenge, or reunions, or reputations. It’s about stepping onto the global stage and proving that Paris belongs among football’s immortals.
As Enrique put it: “We’re happy to be in this kind of match. It means we’ve done things right. Now, we stay focused. We’re here to win, nothing else.”
