EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Luis Enrique mentioned Paris Saint-Germain‘s “group of stars” can ship the “icing on the cake” for his or her unbelievable season within the FIFA Membership World Cup closing after seeing the membership overcome the exits of Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Neymar to change into one of the best group on this planet.
PSG face Chelsea in Sunday’s closing on the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey as robust favourites so as to add the Membership World Cup to the Champions League, Ligue 1 and Coupe de France titles already received through the 2024-25 season.
Enrique’s group at the moment are extensively recognised because the primary membership facet on this planet and a win on Sunday would affirm that standing.
However after rebuilding PSG following the departures of their famous person gamers, former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique says the important thing to the group’s success has been their group of stars reasonably than one particular person.
“We now have 11 stars — that is soccer,” Luis Enrique instructed reporters on Friday. “We do not simply need one essential participant.
“We would like 11 stars, possibly 14-15 in our squad, and that is the dedication we have now from our administrators and president.
“We would like a group of stars. There is not a single PSG fan appearing because the star, the entire of the Parc des Princes is the star, and that is what we wish on the pitch.
“This group is above particular person gamers and we’re leaders due to this. We are going to lose sooner or later, that is the way in which it goes, and we do need stars — however solely as a group.”
PSG booked their place within the closing with a 4-0 semifinal win in opposition to Real Madrid having already overwhelmed fellow European heavyweights Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid en path to the ultimate.
A 5-0 Champions League closing win in opposition to Inter Milan, after beating 4 Premier League group beforehand on this season’s competitors, underlined PSG’s dominance, however Luis Enrique says that his facet must beat Chelsea to have an ideal finish to the season.
“That is the final sport within the season and we have been feeling good,” Luis Enrique mentioned. “We have had an excellent yr and for us it is essential to complete this historic season in the absolute best method.
“We now have been completely unbelievable, we have now written historical past and we need to preserve going and win Sunday’s sport. We have to win to place the icing on the cake.
“However in case you assume this sport shall be a stroll within the park, you actually do not know what soccer is about
“Chelsea received the Convention League, they’re a rising group. I like Enzo Maresca as a coach as a result of his group, they at all times go to assault they usually press very well. This would possibly not simply be any outdated sport.
“It is essential for us to concentrate on how tough this sport goes to be. Chelsea have gifted people they usually can defend below strain. Their group is on par with us.”
PSG captain Marquinhos has urged his teammates to reap the benefits of the possibility to change into world champions by saying it’s a uncommon alternative for the membership.
“We’re conscious of the significance of this match,” he mentioned. “It is a golden alternative in a contest that occurs each 4 years.
“Each match has its personal story. The membership is able to go for this title and the coach has ready us very properly.”
“In a closing, it is a 50-50 guess, however we actually need this title and that is our mindset for the time being.”
Marquinhos, 31, has been with PSG since arriving from Roma in 2013 and he has seen the membership evolve from a group of superstars to the modern-day model of Luis Enrique’s facet.
And regardless of the expertise he has performed alongside together with Mbappé, Neymar, Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marquinhos says that at this time’s group is one of the best of the lot.
“Over the previous few months, we have now been enjoying an distinctive degree,” he mentioned. “It is an actual honour to be a part of this group, it is a very robust group.
“When it comes to outcomes, that is positively one of the best group I’ve been in at PSG, however I’ve performed with some superb gamers who’ve achieved unbelievable issues in soccer — gamers who’ve received greater than these gamers proper now.
“However taking all of it into consideration, that is the group that has carried out most collectively.
“Once I joined, performed with gamers who had been idols of mine and I’ve lived great occasions right here alongside great gamers. However by way of outcomes and titles, that is most likely one of the best squad to this point.”