A Dynasty in the Making
Paris Saint-Germain delivered another statement performance, thrashing Real Madrid 4-0 to reach the Club World Cup final, and under Luis Enrique, they look every bit a team destined to dominate for years to come.
Just five weeks after routing Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final, PSG again overwhelmed elite European opposition in emphatic fashion.
While some critics have branded the Club World Cup a glorified friendly, the intensity and quality on show in the U.S. tells a different story. PSG’s relentless pressing, precise passing, and blistering pace are dismantling everything in front of them.
Having already dispatched Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, PSG now add Real Madrid to their growing list of scalps. They led 3-0 inside 24 minutes, with Fabian Ruiz netting twice, Ousmane Dembélé adding another, and Gonçalo Ramos finishing the job late on.
Next, they face Chelsea in Sunday’s final in New Jersey.
“Luis Enrique has created a monster,” said pundit Andros Townsend, while Gareth Bale added: “They’re relentless, young, and look like they want to embarrass teams.”
From Villains to Visionaries
It’s a rapid turnaround in perception. A year ago, PSG were often cast as villains in Europe—big names with little cohesion. Now, they are perhaps the most watchable team in the world.
Ironically, their transformation has come at the expense of two former stars. Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami were humiliated 4-0 in the last 16. Then Kylian Mbappé’s new club, Real Madrid, suffered the same fate in the semis.
With Mbappé gone, Enrique has rebuilt his frontline. The electric trio of Dembélé, Desire Doué, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have redefined PSG’s attacking style, with Bradley Barcola also featuring in the rotation.
In midfield, João Neves, Vitinha, and Fabian Ruiz have formed a dominant core. Full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes provide width and energy, crucial to PSG’s shape.
“When the midfield controls the game like that, no one can stop them,” said John Obi Mikel.
“Some of that football was like watching FIFA,” added Callum Wilson.
Four Down, One to Go
Having already clinched the Ligue 1, French Cup, and Champions League, PSG are now chasing a clean sweep with a fourth major title in 2025. Add in the Trophée des Champions, and they could complete a rare five-trophy haul in one season.
Their recent form is ruthless: five straight knockout wins with a combined score of 18-0.
Enrique, who already won a treble with Barcelona, has now achieved the same with PSG. His legacy as one of football’s top tactical minds is firmly cemented.
“Luis Enrique has set the standard. Everyone will now try to copy or stop PSG,” said Bale.
The only looming issue? Fatigue. Sunday’s final will be PSG’s 65th match of the season, with a UEFA Super Cup clash against Tottenham kicking off their next campaign just a month later.
Dembélé Steps Into the Spotlight
With 35 goals and 16 assists in 52 matches, Ousmane Dembélé has fully stepped out of Mbappé’s shadow to become PSG’s new talisman—and a front-runner for the Ballon d’Or.
It’s a staggering turnaround for a player whose previous best scoring season was 14 goals at Barcelona.
“This was the first game we could start him in the tournament, and he’s been our best player all year,” said Enrique.
“He deserves to win everything.”
Dembélé’s transformation has been complete—elite output, relentless work rate, and finally fulfilling his early potential.
“It starts with his pressing. He forces mistakes and sets the tone,” said Townsend.
“If PSG win this, and he keeps these numbers—he has to win the Ballon d’Or,” added Wilson.
Reality Check for Alonso’s Madrid
It was a tough night for Xabi Alonso, who’s still finding his footing at Real Madrid after taking over from Carlo Ancelotti just weeks ago.
Injuries and experimentation played their part. Trent Alexander-Arnold was missing, Federico Valverde deputised at right-back, and key attackers like Vinicius Jr and Mbappé were criticized for failing to track back.
“They’re leaving Fran Garcia completely exposed on the left,” noted Townsend.
“Vinicius and Mbappé haven’t done the work.”
Alonso remained philosophical:
“PSG have been building for two years. We’re just starting. We’ll take lessons from today—it’s not the start of next season, it’s the end of this one.”
