“Perfection does not exist,” wrote 19th-century French poet Alfred de Musset in his book, Confession of a Child of the Century. If he had seen Paris Saint-Germain play this season, he probably would have had a different opinion. Luis Enrique’s PSG have had an idyllic year in 2024-25, winning four out of four titles, and their quest for perfection could reach its climax if they end up claiming a fifth trophy – the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.
If they are to get there, however, the Parisians will first need to overcome a major obstacle in the shape of Real Madrid C. F. The 15-time European champions are always a benchmark in world football, and PSG will need to be firing on all cylinders if they are to triumph in their semi-final clash.
If they do get the better of Madrid on Wednesday, Les Rouge et Bleu would record their 48th win of the season and surpass the record set in 2015-16 under Laurent Blanc. Better still, the reigning European champions, who have so far notched 164 goals in 63 matches this season, are now just seven strikes shy of the club record, currently held by Unai Emery’s 2017-18 PSG vintage, who scored 171 times in 57 games.
The Ligue 1 powerhouses may have the record for the most wins in a season firmly in their sights, but setting a new club-record for the most goals would appear to be a little more complicated, at least on paper. They can take heart, however, from the fact that they have already cruised to two 4-0 victories at the Club World Cup, first against Atlético de Madrid in their opening game and then against Inter Miami CF in the Round of 16.
There is also, of course, the small matter of PSG’s five-goal demolition of FC Internazionale Milano in the UEFA Champions League final just two weeks before the start of these finals. The Parisians have scored three or more goals in six of their last eight matches, so it’s certainly not beyond the realms of possibility that their fearsome attack could rack up a further eight strikes if they go the distance here. They threats all over the pitch, not least fit-again Ousmane Dembele, who netted his 34th of the season on Saturday in the 2-0 win over FC Bayern München.
“I’m feeling really good. It’s the best season of my career,” the striker told the club’s official website. “I signed for PSG to have moments like this. It’s been an exceptional year, for me personally and for the team as a whole. It’s magnificent. But we want more. Once you’ve tasted it, you want more.”
The dozen goals they’ve scored so far at this tournament leaves them trailing only the already-eliminated Manchester City and Bayern in the scoring stakes, with the pair having netted 16 apiece. Down the other end, their one concession so far means they could also finish the finals with the meanest defence. Recording the most wins is another record in their sights if they can go all the way in the States.
For now, though, the Parisians’ focus turns to beating Real Madrid and they’ll have a full-strength forward line to available to try and do that, as well as a terrific coach. “We’re lucky to have a coach who understands us and gives us a lot of rest,” Bradley Barcola, who also starred against the Bavarians on Saturday, told FIFA. “We can really relax in the afternoon. That’s what allows us to head into every match feeling fresh.”
Luis Enrique’s troops will need to be very fresh if they are to shine against a Madrid side in fine form and unbeaten since the start of the tournament. Buoyed by the emergence of Gonzalo Garcia, who currently leads the race to be crowned the Top Goal Scorer presented by Bank of America, Xabi Alonso’s charges have now won seven of their last eight matches.
If Les Parisiens do manage to overcome the challenge set by Real Madrid and go on to lift the most prestigious of club trophies on 13 July, while also breaking the club record for the most goals scored in a single season, their fans will be able to proclaim, loud and proud, that perfection does indeed exist. At least on the pitch.
