Together... for history!
Men's football•
Paris Saint-Germain held a final training session on Saturday 12 July on the campus of Rutgers University, ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final against Chelsea FC.
After their gala match and the 4-0 victory over Real Madrid CF that sealed their place in the final of the competition, and after having enjoyed a day's rest, the Rouge et Bleu held two training sessions at the University of New Brunswick in New Jersey. Their sights are now set on the clash with the English side, who secured their place in the last four by finishing 2nd in Group D, also with 2 wins and 1 loss, then winning 4-1 after extra time against SL Benfica in the Round of 16, 2-1 against Palmeiras in the quarter-finals and 2-0 against Fluminense in the semi-finals this Tuesday, the day before the Rouge et Bleu's success against the Spanish, also at the MetLife Stadium.
"When I was little, I always dreamt of experiencing moments like this, and now we have a chance to make history. So we're going to do everything we can to bring another trophy back to Paris!"
Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes spoke to us of his determination: "The squad is doing well, there's obviously a bit of fatigue, but we're in good shape to play a good game on Sunday and win. That's our objective. I think it will be a good game." His team-mate Désiré Doué is in the same state of mind, enjoying the moment: "I'm living this moment in the best possible way. When I was a kid, I always dreamt of living moments like this, and we're lucky enough to have qualified for another final this season, and to be making history. So we're going to do everything we can to bring another trophy back to Paris."
A victory would allow the Parisians to lift the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the first in this 32-team format, just a few weeks after the UEFA Champions League. For the occasion, Brazil international Lucas Beraldo, who appeared before the French and international media at the traditional press briefing, like his two team-mates, is expecting unconditional support from the Paris fans: "I think it was very important to be able to have the fans close to us. They arrived for the last game and gave us the strength we needed on the pitch to carry us towards our goal. Having them behind us is very important for us on the pitch." This solidarity is also evident in the words of the French No14: "Having the fans behind us is always very important. Even in the stadiums where they were in the minority, they pass us messages, push us... A big thank you to them!"
"We have been very well received, whether in Los Angeles, Seattle, Atlanta or New York. We've had a great time, both on and off the pitch."
Paris forward Ousmane Dembélé concluded in an interview with FIFA: "We wanted to win all the trophies and we have the opportunity to play a big final against Chelsea on Sunday. We're going to give everything to win this trophy because it's important. The competition is going very well. We've been very well received, whether in Los Angeles, Seattle, Atlanta or New York. We've had a great time, both on and off the pitch. We're proud to be part of this Club World Cup and we hope to be back in four years' time!"