EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — As if Paris Saint-Germain meeting old friend Lionel Messi in the FIFA Club World Cup wasn’t fortuitous enough, now the European champions are in line to face a former star who left Paris on much uglier terms.
PSG and Real Madrid are set for a momentous semifinal clash on Wednesday, and nearly overshadowing the tournament itself is the likelihood that Kylian Mbappe will play against his former club for the first time.
Mbappe scored a club-record 256 goals across seven years at PSG, but rumors persisted that he wanted to join Real Madrid. He played out his contract and left for Madrid in June 2024 — and just last month, Mbappe opened legal proceedings against PSG, claiming he was owed $61 million in unpaid wages and accusing the club of “moral harassment.”
Less than 36 hours before PSG and Real Madrid were to collide in New Jersey, Mbappe reportedly dropped his claim.
It’s not clear whether Mbappe will start the match for Real Madrid. After being hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis to start the tournament, he has only subbed in for two matches.
PSG star defender Achraf Hakimi told reporters he’s happy to face his close friend in the semis.
“As I’ve said before, he’s my good friend, and it’ll be great to meet him in the semifinal — but I’ll be defending my team’s colors, and that’s the most important thing,” Hakimi said.
Paris Saint-Germain won their first UEFA Champions League title less than a year after Mbappe’s departure, with a dominant 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the final. Now they hope to add the Club World Cup to their trophy case.
After advancing through Group B, PSG knocked out Messi’s Inter Miami and Bayern Munich by a combined 6-0. Led by stalwart goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Parisians lead the tournament in clean sheets (four) and fewest goals allowed (one).
Real Madrid won Group H and reached the final four by beating Juventus 1-0 and Borussia Dortmund 3-2. Mbappe scored the crucial third goal against Dortmund, but 21-year-old forward Gonzalo Garcia will be difficult to remove from the starting 11. Garcia has broken out for a tournament-best five goal contributions (four goals, one assist).
“He’s doing great work for the team, he’s helping the team and he’s right in the right position in the box,” Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso said on a DAZN broadcast. “He’s a proper No. 9 and we are happy that he’s doing that well.”
PSG will be without defenders Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez, who received two-game suspensions for their late red cards vs. Bayern Munich. Madrid defender Dean Huijsen was given a one-match ban following his red card against Dortmund.
The PSG-Real Madrid winner will face either Chelsea or Brazilian underdog Fluminense in Sunday’s final.
–Adam Zielonka, Field Level Media
