Real Madrid vs. PSG and Mbappé vs. Dembélé: the Club World Cup has a Champions League match packed with exciting features.
Although neither of them is confirmed as a starter, the announcement of today's big semi-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid has two faces: Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé . Their paths have been permanently intertwined (they were, among other things, teammates in the last two World Cups with France), and the parallels come in this Club World Cup , where both were absent from the group stage (Dembélé due to a quadriceps injury and Mbappé due to gastroenteritis), both played in the round of 16 and quarter-finals as substitutes, and both scored their first goals in the final match. And both have the option of starting for the first time in this semi-final between the two most recent Champions League winners.
Both have scores to settle in the North American tournament. Dembélé has never scored against Real Madrid in 12 competitive matches. His only goal against Real Madrid came in a friendly in July 2023, shortly before leaving Barcelona, and also in a match played in the US, specifically in Dallas.
The PSG star, who scored the second goal against Bayern Munich when his team was playing with two players less, is considered by many to be the favorite for the Ballon d'Or. His campaign in this 2024-25 season justifies his candidacy: he scored 34 goals and provided 14 assists in 51 matches, in addition to winning the Champions League.
The Real Madrid star hasn't won any silverware in his first season, but his goal-scoring output hasn't left him open to criticism: he has 44 goals in 58 matches. His last came against Borussia Dortmund in this extra-large Club World Cup.
Luis Enrique has already made history with PSG, but he's aiming for more. Photo: Reuters / Brett Davis.
Kylian's match against his former club, which won the most important title in its history, the Champions League, just over a month ago, in his absence, will be more than special. His relationship with PSG remains contentious, although it was learned yesterday that the player has withdrawn his lawsuit for "moral harassment," but is still seeking $61 million for an outstanding debt.
But the match will have more appeal. It remains to be seen how Luis Enrique and Xabi Alonso handle the absences of Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernández, one of them, and Dean Huijsen, the other, in defense; all three were sent off in the quarterfinals.
Xabi Alonso recently joined Real Madrid and is close to winning his first title. Photo: EFE / EPA / SARAH YENESEL.
Both coaches focus on possession and high pressure; it remains to be seen who prevails and exploits the space best. PSG is a proven team, perhaps the best in the world today; Real Madrid is in the making with a new manager and a bolder approach than the previous one.
Beyond Dembélé and Mbappé, there are other names that invite us to see a great match: Vitinha, Bellingham, Kvaratskhelia, Doue, Vinicius, Fabián Ruiz, Valverde, Nuno Mendes, Arda Güler... He can't fail.
Clarin
