Luis Enrique previously secured the 2015 Club World Cup title with Barcelona.
Paris St-Germain are exhibiting the hallmarks of a dynasty in the making, as Luis Enrique’s squad decisively dismantled another European powerhouse – this time Real Madrid 4-0 – to advance to the Club World Cup final.
The French team’s dominant 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final just five and a half weeks prior underscores their sustained momentum.
Despite some critics downplaying the Club World Cup as a mere friendly tournament, the level of competition and commitment from the players suggest otherwise. The tournament is being approached with utmost seriousness.
While PSG experienced a minor setback against Brazilian side Botafogo, they have impressively defeated both Atletico and Real Madrid 4-0 in the United States-based tournament, in addition to overcoming German champions Bayern Munich 2-0, even after being reduced to nine players.
Opponents are struggling to contain their speed, passing accuracy, and relentless pressing, as they continue to dismantle any team in their path.
PSG surged to a 3-0 lead within the first 24 minutes, courtesy of a Fabian Ruiz double and an Ousmane Dembele goal, before Goncalo Ramos sealed the victory with a late strike.
Their next challenge is against Chelsea in Sunday’s final in New Jersey.
“Luis Enrique has created a monster,” commented Dazn pundit Andros Townsend.
Former Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale added: “They look like a team who are going to be around for a long time.
“They are very young, relentless and want to embarrass teams.”
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Over the past year, PSG have transformed from a team that many neutral observers were eager to see defeated in the Champions League, to one of the most captivating teams globally.
Notably, two prominent figures from the ‘old PSG’ era, characterized by egos rather than teamwork, found themselves on the losing end of 4-0 defeats in the US.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami suffered such a loss in the last 16, followed by Kylian Mbappe’s Real Madrid in Wednesday’s lopsided semi-final.
Since Mbappe, PSG’s all-time leading scorer, departed for Madrid last summer upon the expiration of his contract, Enrique has orchestrated a revamp of the team’s attacking lineup.
The new frontline, featuring Dembele, Desire Doue, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, is dynamic and electrifying, with Bradley Barcola also frequently contributing to the attacking onslaught.
Their midfield trio, comprising Portuguese duo Joao Neves and Vitinha, alongside Spanish international Ruiz, dictate the tempo and control the flow of games.
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel remarked on Dazn during halftime: “When the three in the middle dictate the play like that, no-one can stop them. It has been a masterclass.”
Former Newcastle striker Callum Wilson added: “Some of that football from PSG was like watching Fifa. Incredible.”
Furthermore, the tireless attacking full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes are integral to PSG’s style of play.
Having already secured the French Cup, Ligue 1 title, and Champions League trophy, they are now just one victory away from claiming a fourth major title in 2025. Including the lesser Trophee des Champions, they could potentially achieve a clean sweep of five trophies.
Chelsea will face a formidable challenge in their attempt to thwart PSG on Sunday. Dating back to the Coupe de France final, PSG have won their last five knockout round matches by a combined score of 18-0.
Luis Enrique is now undeniably recognized as one of the elite managers in world football, having achieved Trebles with both Barcelona and PSG.
“He has set the standard,” said Welshman Bale. “They are leading a new era.
“They have set a very high bar and everyone in football will be trying to copy them and trying to stop them.”
The only potential concern for PSG is fatigue.
Sunday’s match will be their 65th since the start of the 2024-25 campaign. Exactly one month later, they will face Tottenham in the Uefa Super Cup to commence the 2025-26 season.
Will Ousmane Dembele win the Ballon d’Or this year? It seems likely.
Dembele has undoubtedly emerged from Mbappe’s shadow this season.
The 28-year-old Frenchman has amassed 35 goals and 16 assists in 52 appearances in 2024-25, including his contributions to this competition.
Prior to this season, Dembele’s best goalscoring record was 14 for Barcelona.
The speedster is now the frontrunner to win the Ballon d’Or – an achievement that would have seemed improbable just a year or two ago.
“It’s the first match in this tournament that we can use [start] Ousmane and I think he has been our best player this season,” said Luis Enrique.
“He deserves to win everything because he gives his all to the club and has done all season.”
Former England forward Wilson, 33, added: “Unbelievable numbers from Dembele.
“If he wins the Club World Cup after winning the Treble, surely he has to win the Ballon d’Or?”
However, it is not just his statistical output that is impressive.
“It all starts from the work-rate of Dembele – he forces players into mistakes,” noted Townsend during halftime, while analyzing PSG’s dominant performance.
After a summer break, Xabi Alonso will not have much time to get Real Madrid ready for the new La Liga campaign.
In contrast to Luis Enrique, Xabi Alonso is still in the process of familiarizing himself with his Real Madrid squad.
The Spaniard assumed the managerial role at the conclusion of the La Liga season following Carlo Ancelotti’s departure for Brazil – and this match has shown there is considerable work to be done.
Alonso has been experimenting with formations, utilizing both four and five-man defensive setups. England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was absent due to injury, leading to midfielder Federico Valverde filling in at that position.
Furthermore, the lack of sufficient effort from some of their attacking players did not aid their cause.
“Vinicius Jr and Mbappe just haven’t been tracking back down the sides and that is a big problem in this formation,” pointed out Townsend.
“[Left-back] Fran Garcia is not happy, he has had absolutely no help down that left-hand side.”
Alonso acknowledged: “They have been building for two years and we are just starting so we will take time. We will have to learn from today, but the feeling at the moment is not the best.
“We need a proper break. This is not the beginning of next year, this is just the end of this season. After just three weeks here I think we can take positives. We will take lessons from today.”
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