Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique says being a Barcelona fan gives additional motivation for him to assist knock Actual Madrid out of the Membership World Cup tonight.
PSG go into the final 4 tie in New York as slight favourites given their spectacular finish to the season that noticed them clinch their first Champions League crown by hammering Inter Milan 5-0 within the last.
Jour de demi-finale. ⚔️
⌚️ – 21h 🇫🇷 / 3 pm 🇺🇸 #FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/OUNQGs4VAi
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) July 9, 2025
Luis Enrique has carved out a massively profitable teaching profession after starring as a participant for Sporting Gijon, Barca and Madrid.
He made the daring resolution to swap the Santiago Bernabeu for Camp Nou in 1996 and flourished in Catalonia, and says there isn’t any doubt the place his coronary heart lies.
He mentioned: “Taking part in towards Actual Madrid is particular, unquestionably. We wish to play a lot of these video games as a result of it implies that you probably did the job nicely. We’re able to play a semi-final. It’s a essential, motivating match. We’re able to play and get to a different last.
“For me, it’s a pleasure to play towards Actual Madrid, it all the time has been, as a result of we play towards probably the most adored group on this planet, it’s large.
“And I’m a ‘Culé’, a Barça socio, so it’s all the time motivating to play towards Actual Madrid.”
Luis Enrique backs Alonso to succeed at Madrid
The 55-year-old, who received two La Ligas as a participant at Barca and two extra as coach, believes his Madrid counterpart Xabi Alonso will make Los Blancos a formidable aspect over the course of his tenure.
He added: “It’s very tough to analyse this Actual Madrid as a result of they’re beginning a brand new interval. We all know that they’re very robust individually, however that is the start of Xabi Alonso as Actual coach.
“It’s all the time tough to educate a fantastic group however I feel Xabi Alonso has every thing it takes to reside as much as this membership.”
Luis Enrique decided to finish season on a excessive
The Membership World Cup has attracted criticism with the blistering warmth affecting matches on the finish of an extended season for gamers however, having come this far, Luis Enrique is decided to complete the job.
“Since our arrival on the membership, we have now all made historical past,” he mentioned. “Now, we have now the chance to win this event which solely takes place each 4 years. I sincerely assume it should develop into a reference, it’s a good method to play towards groups from totally different elements of the world.
“So sure we’re on the finish of the season however if you end up one sport away from the ultimate, the motivation goes a lot additional.”
