“Keep smiling, whatever life throws at you.”
The mantra that Claude Makelele uttered as he arrived for his exclusive interview with FIFA encapsulates the positive ethos that the Kinshasa-born star has always sought to live by. However, on one fateful day in July 2006, his ever-present smile gave way to tears following a nail-biting FIFA World Cup™ final that France ultimately lost to Italy in Berlin.
“It was the first time in my career that I’d cried after a match,” revealed the perennial winner, who enjoyed trophy-laden spells at Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea FC and Real Madrid C. F., three clubs that are currently doing battle in the United States to be crowned FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ champions.
In the stifling Los Angeles heat, just a stone’s throw from Rose Bowl Stadium – the scene of PSG’s commanding 4-0 win over Atlético de Madrid on 15 June and narrow 1-0 defeat by Botafogo four days later – the FIFA Legend shared his impressions of the tournament and took a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about highlights from his storied career, all with his characteristic candour and contagious cheer.
Claude Makelele: Since arriving in the United States, I’ve seen it all coming together and how much the fans are embracing it. I went to the PSG against Atlético match and was blown away. Everything fell into place, and the fans were treated to a blockbuster at a packed-out stadium with an electric atmosphere. I think the spectacle was worthy of the occasion. Everyone left that match with a smile on their face.
Yes, we’re here in the land of the American dream. That’s how we see it in Europe. I think this competition is also whetting everyone’s appetite for what’s to come at the World Cup in 2026. Cultural diversity is at the heart of football; that’s part of its appeal. This game connects people from all corners of the globe.
They’re the best side out there right now. They serve up an entertaining and highly effective brand of football for the fans.
Yes, definitely. Europe has always led the way in terms of performance and its footballing tradition. It’s a tall order for others to bridge the gap. I think the Americans have made great strides with Major League Soccer and they’ve managed to attract players and coaches from major European leagues. We shouldn’t write off the South American teams either. The Brazilian and Argentinian clubs can also give the European sides a run for their money.
I can’t decide. I don’t want to make anyone jealous because I had some great times at all three clubs. I made incredible memories every step of the way, so I’m obviously rooting for any of those three teams to reach the final.
My time at PSG came at the tail end of my playing career. We had to rebuild the club because, at one point, it was in dire straits from a footballing perspective. I had to captain the side, instil my values and help educate many of my team-mates. Since the Qataris came in, the club has changed and really raised its game. I’m so proud to see how far PSG have come and I feel I played a part in the success of that project.
When I signed for Chelsea, it was a bit like PSG. Standards weren’t all that high, but we helped the club to join the international elite. Chelsea are now a world-renowned powerhouse and brand. There are a lot of Chelsea fans here in the United States, for example.
So much. The silverware, the club… For me, there is no comparison. Real Madrid has always been the best club in the world. If I had to say who had the greatest impact on me there, it would be (Vicente) Del Bosque. He was the mastermind behind it all. If you don’t have a coach with that kind of charisma, you can’t build a team of Galácticos. It’s impossible.
His charisma and being a visionary. He’s one of a kind. I remember the Champions League semi-finals against Barcelona during a poor run of form. We arrived at the stadium for the first leg and he was running through the tactics in the dressing room. He told us: “Just enjoy it. We’re Real Madrid. We’ll try to win the match, but it’s not the end of the world if we don’t. It’s only football. We’ll all go home and enjoy spending time with our kids and families.”
He lifted all the pressure off our shoulders. I remember everyone being shocked and just looking around at one another. We felt relaxed when we stepped onto the pitch and ended up winning 2-0. The best team talks are calm and measured. It’s all about playing to the strengths of your team and your players and Del Bosque knew exactly how to do that.
Yes, no doubt about it. The word Galácticos is synonymous with the best players in the world. They were all leaders in their national teams, so that says it all. The only other team to have achieved that was AC Milan with (Franco) Baresi and (Ruud) Gullit. We followed in their footsteps, but there hasn’t been anyone since.
Yes. (Carlo) Ancelotti had a profound impact on me. I was his assistant at PSG (in 2011-2012), and began a new chapter of my career alongside him. He’s the one who ignited my passion for coaching. I’d spend so much time observing him and we’d talk a lot. I learned so much from him. He taught me to focus on people.
He’s a true professional. We often neglect the human side of football. So many coaches overlook how important it is and don’t think about the background of their players, but he does.
