Posted on July 9, 2025 | By Clicking To Sports

📅 Date: July 9, 2025
📍 Venue: MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

The stage is set for one of the biggest clashes in Club World Cup history as Paris Saint-Germain take on Real Madrid in the semi-final. All eyes will be on Kylian Mbappé, who faces his former club for the first time since joining the Spanish giants.

Mbappé vs PSG – History in the Making

This is Mbappé’s first-ever match against PSG. He left the French club in 2024 after a long contract saga and legal dispute.

His move to Real Madrid came with major headlines, controversy, and unfinished business.

“It’s a special match,” said Mbappé. “But I’m focused on helping my team reach the final. Everything else is noise.”

Luis Enrique : “We’re Fully Focused and Ready”

In his pre-match press conference on July 8, PSG head coach Luis Enrique spoke about the challenge ahead.

“We’re fully focused and highly motivated. The Club World Cup is a prestigious tournament, and we’re proud to represent European football at this stage.”

“Our goal is to stick to our principles—control possession, press high, and play with intensity. Every team here has earned their spot, so we expect a tough challenge, but we’re ready.”

It’s also Enrique’s first Club World Cup with PSG, and the club’s first without its superstar trio of Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé.



A New-Look PSG on a Mission

This PSG side is built around team structure and youth. Key players like Gonçalo Ramos, Bradley Barcola, and Vitinha are part of a fresh era that is eager to prove it can win on the world stage—even without Mbappé.

A win would not only book their place in the final, but also send a message: PSG are bigger than any one player.

Real Madrid: “We Respect PSG, But We’re Ready”

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso praised PSG but believes his squad is ready for the challenge.

“They’re Champions League winners. We know it’s going to be a big challenge for us in this new phase,” he said after their quarter-final win over Borussia Dortmund.

“Our performance was intense. We need to stay sharp for this one.”



Madrid players echoed the same focus and belief:

Antonio Rüdiger: “PSG are tough, but we’re Real Madrid. We’re ready.”

Fran García: “They’re well-drilled under Enrique. It won’t be easy, but we’re prepared.”



More Than Just a Match

This semi-final isn’t just about reaching the Club World Cup final. It’s about narrative, pride, and legacy.

Will Mbappé haunt his old club?

Can Luis Enrique’s new PSG silence critics and create history?


We’ll find out under the lights at MetLife Stadium tonight.