Paris Saint-Germain Captain Maintains Perspective Following Defeat to Chelsea in Club World Cup Final
Paris Saint-Germain’s extraordinary 2024–25 campaign ended on a bittersweet note, as they fell 3-0 to Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup final. However, captain Marquinhos remains adamant that the loss does little to diminish what has been a historic season for the French giants.
Despite the disappointment at MetLife Stadium, where Cole Palmer’s brace and João Pedro’s goal secured Chelsea the title, Marquinhos praised his team’s resilience, achievements, and the unwavering support of PSG fans around the world.
A Final Loss, But Not a Lost Legacy
Facing Chelsea in a highly anticipated showdown, PSG were outplayed in a match that slipped away quickly. Cole Palmer—who earned the tournament’s Golden Ball—struck twice in the first half, and João Pedro added a third to seal the win for the Premier League side.
“It’s always tough to lose a final,” Marquinhos admitted. “It’s the game you can’t afford to get wrong. But looking back, this was an amazing journey.”
Despite falling short at the final hurdle, the Brazilian defender emphasized PSG’s path to the final as a testament to their growth. “We played some really strong teams, made it all the way, and that’s not easy,” he said.
A Season of Firsts for PSG
The 2024–25 campaign will be remembered as a landmark year in PSG’s history. The club clinched its first-ever UEFA Champions League title, adding to their Ligue 1 and Coupe de France triumphs. Their semi-final victory over Real Madrid marked a record 48th win of the season, surpassing the club’s previous best of 47 wins in 2015–16.
“This season was incredible,” said Marquinhos. “We won everything domestically and made history in Europe. Of course, we wanted to add the Club World Cup to that, especially since it’s now a rare tournament played only once every four years. But that doesn’t take anything away from what we’ve achieved.”
Looking Ahead: Lessons from the Final
Marquinhos was candid about PSG’s underperformance in the final. “We weren’t at our level today. That’s the truth,” he said. “We’ll need to analyze this, understand where we fell short, and come back stronger next season.”
Rather than dwell on the loss, the skipper framed it as motivation for continued growth and improvement in the seasons ahead.
Gratitude to Fans and the American Tour Experience
Reflecting on PSG’s journey in the United States, Marquinhos also took a moment to express his gratitude to the fans who followed them across continents.
“Our fans have been incredible all year,” he said. “Even here in the USA, they were everywhere. That’s what I’ll remember most—the passion, the joy, the love from our supporters.”
He added, “We earned a lot of respect this season—not just for the titles, but for how we played and carried ourselves. It’s been unforgettable.”
