Freshly crowned kings of Europe, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have landed in the United States with their sights firmly set on conquering the FIFA Club World Cup. Just weeks after their triumphant 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final in Munich, the Qatar-backed French giants are treating FIFA's revamped and lucrative competition with utmost seriousness, not as an afterthought to an already exhausting season.
"I think it is an incredible competition," PSG coach Luis Enrique stated emphatically, shortly after securing the Champions League title. His ambition is clear: "Our aim is to be competitive and try to win a fifth trophy of the season."
PSG's journey to Champions League glory was paved with numerous heartbreaks and significant investment. After years of agonizing failures and billions spent on star players like Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, captain Marquinhos finally lifted the coveted trophy, sparking celebrations across Paris. Defender Lucas Hernandez captured the sentiment, declaring, "We have made history for the club, for the city and for the whole country." The team's victory parade down the Champs-Elysees, a reception with President Emmanuel Macron, and a celebration with nearly 50,000 fans at the Parc des Princes encapsulated the magnitude of their achievement.
Despite a grueling schedule of 58 matches since last August and a clean sweep of domestic trophies in France, there's no time for complacency. Many PSG players, including Champions League final star Desire Doue, were immediately back on international duty before heading to Los Angeles to prepare for their Club World Cup campaign, which begins this weekend. "The tournament itself is a really attractive prospect," Luis Enrique told FIFA.com, highlighting the team's eagerness to compete on a global stage.
PSG's Club World Cup journey begins with a match against Atlético Madrid at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles on June 15, followed by clashes with Brazilian side Botafogo on June 19 and Seattle Sounders on June 23. Luis Enrique acknowledges the unique nature of this competition. "We are representing France, but from a club's perspective, which will be interesting. I am convinced that this competition will be exciting."
While PSG didn't add any new faces during the brief transfer window before the tournament, the potential rewards are substantial. The Club World Cup offers a staggering $125 million in prize money for the top-performing European team, providing ample motivation for Luis Enrique's squad.
PSG is expected to progress easily through the group stage, and could play up to seven matches en route to the final in New York on July 13. The demanding schedule presents challenges, with key player Ousmane Dembele, the team's leading scorer with 33 goals, currently nursing an injury sustained while playing for France.
Despite the challenges, Luis Enrique remains optimistic and focused. "The goal is the same for every competition: to prepare to win the tournament. I believe we are one of the best clubs on the planet. Now, with this first edition of the FIFA Club World Cup, the objective is clear: to be competitive and go as far as possible to have a chance at winning." He recognizes the global representation in the tournament and its potential to become a benchmark for club football. "I think that the competition has the potential to become a real benchmark in the future, which is a really exciting prospect." He added, "The Club World Cup is our first-ever opportunity to compete against 31 other teams to prove who's the best in the world, so it promises to be fascinating."
With their Champions League victory still fresh in their minds, and the allure of global supremacy on the horizon, Luis Enrique and PSG are determined to seize the opportunity and add the FIFA Club World Cup crown to their list of achievements.
