On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Luis Enrique described the Club World Cup semifinal against Real Madrid as a “special game” during a press conference at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the match is set for 9:00 PM WAT (4:00 PM ET). Fresh off PSG’s first UEFA Champions League title in 2024/25, Enrique emphasized the significance of facing Real Madrid, the “most decorated club in the world,” in a match critical to reaching the July 13 final against Chelsea, who defeated Fluminense 2-0 on Tuesday. He dismissed questions about his strained relationship with former PSG star Kylian Mbappé, now at Real Madrid, saying, “That belongs in the past, it is behind us now.” The sports card above details Enrique’s PSG record: 48 wins, 16 draws, 4 losses in the 2024/25 season.
Match Context and Challenges
PSG, without defenders Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez due to suspensions from their 3-2 quarter-final win over Bayern Munich, face a Real Madrid side led by new coach Xabi Alonso, who took over in 2025 and remains unbeaten. Enrique, a former Barcelona icon and Real Madrid player (1991–1996), praised Alonso’s potential but noted the difficulty in analyzing his early tenure. Real Madrid, coming off a 1-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals, rely on Mbappé, who returned from illness, and young star Gonzalo García (three tournament goals). The match, a rematch of their 2022 and 2024 Champions League encounters (Real won both), is complicated by stormy weather delaying Real’s travel from Florida.
Stakes and Broader Context
The winner advances to face Chelsea, whose young squad (average age 24) outclassed Fluminense, led by 40-year-old Thiago Silva, in the other semifinal. The $125 million prize and global prestige are at stake, with PSG aiming to cap a historic season and Real Madrid launching Alonso’s era. Nigeria’s economic context, with 33.9% inflation (NBS April 2025), limits local viewership, but the match, broadcast on DAZN, resonates globally. Enrique’s focus on focus and motivation underscores PSG’s readiness despite missing key players, while Alonso’s absence from media duties adds intrigue to Real’s preparations.
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