"Luis Enrique deflects acclaim as PSG eyes Club World Cup final"

There is only one match remaining in what could become a historic season for Paris Saint-Germain, who won their first Champions League to secure a historic treble. The final hurdle is the Club World Cup, but Luis Enrique insists this has not been his best campaign. He believes he performed better in defeat. The PSG coach also acknowledged that Manchester City remain the strongest side, while Chelsea—a team he compared to his own—could still spoil their perfect season under a manager he admires.

"Winning the Champions League was our primary goal when we arrived in Paris last year, and achieving it was crucial," Enrique said. "Now, in our last game of the season, we have the opportunity to add another trophy with the Club World Cup. But we must recognize the challenge ahead. Enzo Maresca is a manager I appreciate for his approach to possession. Chelsea are strong individually but also disciplined, similar to our team, and physically demanding. It won’t be an easy match."

"Chelsea won the Conference League, finished fourth in their league, and have shown great progression. They have talented, technical players and a coach I admire for their style—building from the back, pressing high, and attacking consistently. They’ve had a remarkable season, and this final won’t be straightforward. We’ll give everything to finish this historic year the right way."

"Was it our best season? Perhaps, but victory is needed to confirm it. In any final, there’s a winner and a loser, but defeat doesn’t diminish a team’s efforts. We’ll give our all and see what happens."

"The essence of football is a team of stars," Enrique added. "We don’t seek one standout player—we want 11, or even 15. The real star should be the collective, just as the fans create the atmosphere at the Parc des Princes. Our focus is on teamwork above all."

When asked if he himself was the star and a contender for the Ballon d’Or’s coaching award, he dismissed the idea.

"I don’t believe in individual awards, especially for coaches. The team always comes first. Ousmane Dembélé excelled individually, but his true value was in helping us win trophies. That should be the measure of success—not personal accolades. There’s nothing star-like about me, as a player or now. I simply enjoy the work, even in the toughest moments."