NYC liked it... and they're now ready for the final!
500 fans from Paris, the Supporters Club New York and fans from all over the United States, local fans... a large number of Rouge and Blue fans attended the fantastic Parisian success against the Spanish in the home of the New York Giants and the New York Jets (American football). In the city, other fans gathered at the Watch Party to watch the match on DAZN from the Seaport Cobblestones, at the junction of Fulton Street & Front Street.
In the stands in East Rutherford, New Jersey, former Paris Saint-Germain defender Marcos Ceara (197 official appearances and 3 goals between 2007 and 2012) was delighted with the spectacle: "It was a really special day, firstly because I'd never had the opportunity to watch a match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. And what a result! We've never had a match like it. 4-0! I thought Paris would win 2-1 or 3-1, or something like that. We were expecting a complicated, difficult match against a team of Real Madrid's calibre, you never know what to expect. That said, Paris are in good form and all the players are working together. That's does the team a lot of good. When you see the coach giving instructions and guiding the players, it's been a great day, and to see PSG win like this is something to be proud of."
"I've travelled to Paris Saint-Germain matches everywhere during this competition and seen the buzz around the club. It's exceptional."
"The match was incredible," explained a member of the Collectif Ultras Paris who we met in Central Park on Thursday. "We're behind the team, we've travelled the many miles that separate us from Paris. We've got to bring the trophy home. Come on, guys! What Paris is showing this season is exceptional," added another rouge et bleu fan in NYC. Thank you to the club and the President for allowing us to be here! I hope the players give it their all again on Sunday. We'll be here to support them. Allez Paris!"
Usually blue and orange, the Big Apple is now turning red and blue, as former Paris midfielder Claude Makélélé (118 official appearances and 1 goal between 2008 and 2011), who was present at the official Paris Saint-Germain shop on 5th Avenue, New York on Thursday, told us: "Paris Saint-Germain is having a superb run. I was expecting it! I'm very proud to see this Paris Saint-Germain boutique here in New York. Paris fans in New York, Americans, tourists from all over the world pass through here... It's amazing to see it here in New York."
"The club continues to grow and push its limits. Winning this trophy would make history for the club... and all the fans would go crazy!"
Proud of the club's rapid rise to prominence, the 2010 Coupe de France winner with Paris reflected on the progress made by Luis Enrique's side: "Paris Saint-Germain have gone from strength to strength. In my opinion, they've been the best team from the start. That said, we mustn't underestimate Chelsea. We have to play the game and, above all, Paris has to win this trophy! That would be massive, given the buzz around the club in New York. I've travelled with them everywhere during the competition and saw the passion. It's exceptional. It's beautiful football. We've been hoping for this for a long time, so we're happy."
Ceara, who also visited the club shop in NYC on Thursday, concluded: "Winning this trophy would make history for the club. It continues to grow and push its limits. As a player, I had the opportunity to win this trophy. With Internacional Porto Alegre, against Ronaldinho's Barcelona, and to become world champion (in 2006). We were so happy... it was fantastic. Paris have the chance to play a big game, like the previous ones, and win this edition of the Club World Cup for the first time with 32 teams, the best in the world, can you imagine? It would go down in history and all the fans would go crazy!" The Brazilian will be the guest on PSG TV's pre-match Live coverage.