Paris Saint-Germain secured a 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the Club World Cup quarterfinals held on July 5.
With that result, the French champions advance to face Real Madrid in the semifinals of the tournament, set for July 9 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
All eyes are on this highly anticipated match, not just for the competitive stakes, but also because it marks the first time Kylian Mbappe will meet his former club, PSG, since his move away from Paris last year.
The split between Mbappe and PSG was far from smooth. During the final stretch of his six-year stay, the French forward openly voiced dissatisfaction with his experience at the club.
Now, in the build-up to this blockbuster semifinal, PSG manager Luis Enrique has been fielding questions about his former player. However, the Spanish coach made it clear where his focus currently lies.
How did Luis Enrique respond when asked about Mbappe and Real Madrid?
Mbappé completed a free transfer to Real Madrid in June 2024, which he signed a five-year contract with the La Liga side. He spent his final season at PSG under Enrique’s guidance.
In that one season together, Enrique helped steer PSG to an incredible transfer, which lifted Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Trophée des Champions, and capping it off with the club’s first-ever UEFA Champions League triumph in 2024/25.
As media gathered ahead of the PSG vs Real Madrid clash, one reporter asked whether the team is stronger now without Mbappe than it was with him. Enrique, 55, offered a brief but firm response:
“That’s a question about the past. I’m not here to talk about the past—I’m focused on the future,” he said, via Reuters.
PSG and Real Madrid have met 12 times in competitive fixtures. Madrid hold the edge with five wins, while PSG have claimed four, and three matches have ended in draws.
Whoever emerges victorious from this semifinal will move on to face Chelsea in the Club World Cup final, scheduled for July 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
