Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca sparked widespread discussion in the football community after his side’s commanding 3-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final. Speaking after the match, Maresca referred to the title as a landmark global achievement and suggested the tournament could soon rival—or even surpass—the UEFA Champions League in terms of significance.
“This is a competition that features the best of every continent. That’s why we value it as highly as the Champions League—maybe even more,” Maresca said during his post-match media briefing. “I believe the Club World Cup is on track to become just as important, if not more.”
The final, held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, saw Chelsea take control from the outset. Rising talent Cole Palmer struck twice within the first eight minutes, leaving PSG stunned. João Pedro added a third goal before halftime, putting the game firmly in Chelsea’s hands.
PSG struggled to find any rhythm against Chelsea’s relentless press and tight man-marking. “Our strategy was to go man-to-man because giving PSG space is dangerous,” Maresca explained. “Maintaining that intensity early on was key, especially with the heat making conditions difficult as the match wore on.”
Chelsea’s tactical execution paid off, particularly when exploiting PSG’s vulnerabilities on the left side of their defence. “We focused on that area, and it worked well thanks to the players’ effort and commitment,” Maresca added.
Tensions boiled over late in the match as PSG’s Joao Neves was sent off in the 84th minute for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair—an incident that summed up the French side’s frustrations. Chelsea nearly added a fourth, with Liam Delap coming close on two occasions near the end.
Drawing from his own experience as a member of Manchester City’s Champions League-winning coaching team three years ago, Maresca emphasized the growing global reach and competitive edge of the Club World Cup. “Having been part of a Champions League-winning side, I can say this tournament stands out because it unites champions from every continent. That global nature gives it unique prestige.”
Chelsea’s dominant performance not only secured them the world title but also symbolized their ascent to the pinnacle of global club football. “This win is a huge milestone,” Maresca said. “It’s an honour for our players and fans to wear the world champion badge—it means everything to the club.”