On the eve of the Intercontinental Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Flamengo, Luis Enrique addressed the media in Doha. The PSG head coach stressed the importance of the match against an opponent he holds in high regard, discussed the condition of captain Marquinhos, and reflected on PSG’s historic opportunity. Below is the full press conference, faithfully transcribed and translated.
You could become the first French club to win this trophy and only the third club in history to complete a sextuple. Are you aware that you could make history tomorrow night?
“I didn’t know that. I think there are very few opportunities to play in this final, and we are aware of the importance of this match. It’s great to play in the Intercontinental final, it means a lot to us, and we are happy to be here.”
A year ago, it wasn’t even certain that PSG would get out of the Champions League group stage. One year later, you’re in an Intercontinental Cup final. How do you view this trajectory, and where do you feel the team stands right now?
“We are happy to have this opportunity because it is always difficult to play this Intercontinental final.”
“A year ago, we were on the path, on the journey to reach this moment. There are many positive memories from last season, and I think that helped us overcome what we experienced last year. Right now, I see continuity. This season is a continuation of what we’ve seen in recent years. And now the moment has arrived to play this final. As we said, it’s important for us as a team, as a club, and for our supporters. We are happy to have this opportunity because, I repeat, it is always difficult to play this Intercontinental final.”
This is your fourth international final in 2025. Do you still feel the same adrenaline? Does experience help in handling these moments?
“Flamengo are a very good team and this will be a tight final.”
“I think the motivation is very clear. Making history at Paris was an objective last season, and continuing to make history is the objective this season. Every final is different. These are special matches where you have to be ready and focused throughout the entire game. Every action can be important and decisive. Having control and the right level of motivation is crucial, and we are ready. At the start of the league season, we had some problems, but the team showed the same mentality as last year. Tomorrow will be difficult because Flamengo are a very good team, and it will be a close final.”
Can you give us an update on the squad, especially Marquinhos? Is he fit to start tomorrow?
“There is still today’s training session, but he is ready. After training, we will see how he feels. Tomorrow, we will decide whether he starts or not.”
As 2025 comes to an end, do you feel the team has moved past the intense fatigue and injury issues from earlier in the season?
“It’s impossible to know that! What we have shown over the past four months is our ability to overcome different situations. After this calendar, I can’t guarantee anything, but we are happy that Christmas is coming, to have some holidays and time with family. For the start of 2026, we hope to have the full squad together and enjoy that, because the most important moments of all competitions are coming.”
Filipe Luís mentioned that Flamengo are at the end of their season, while PSG are mid-season. Does that affect your preparation?
“Yes, it’s different. Of course, they arrive after winning many trophies and are in a very good moment. I like the way they play football, both with and without the ball. They are a very well-prepared team, and you can see it. I remember last summer during the Club World Cup, they played very interesting matches. They have a very strong and difficult team. We knew the difficulty before the match and we will try to be ready tomorrow.”
In South America, this trophy carries a lot of weight. For PSG, who have never won it, how important is it?
“I don’t think they will be more motivated than us.”
“It’s very difficult to rank the importance of this trophy. What is certain is that when you lose at a big club, people always say it was important. When you win, it depends. But it’s important because it’s the first time in our history that we can play this final. Traditionally, European clubs have won it because there was a difference in level. Today, this match is very important for Flamengo and very important for us. Winning this first Intercontinental Cup would be historic. That alone is a huge motivation, and in that sense, I don’t think they will be more motivated than us.”
You’ve faced several American teams recently. Has the gap between Europe and South America narrowed? And what about Dembélé potentially winning
The Best
tonight?
“We will have to show our best version.”
“Yes, without a doubt. But since I don’t award the trophies, it doesn’t matter much. Since last summer, there’s been a lot of discussion about the level gap, but I don’t think it matters much. Traditionally, European teams win. I played one ten years ago. Does the winner always mean they are better? No. In a single match, anything can happen. Flamengo are a top-level team. They beat Chelsea and pushed Bayern to the limit. Tomorrow, their experienced players will show what they learned in Europe. No one doubts the quality of South American players. Playing a final against a Brazilian team is never good news. We will need to show our best version. In a final, small details decide everything.”
A question in Arabic is asked about Achraf Hakimi.
“Hakimi is injured, he cannot play. He is recovering. Tomorrow, he will not play.”
Did your loss to Flamengo last summer influence your approach to this final? And how is Flamengo different from Botafogo?
“Flamengo do not play like Botafogo.”
“Botafogo defended deep and barely attacked. Flamengo are different. They play very well with the ball, build from the back, press well without the ball, and are physically very strong. They have experienced players who know how to play big matches. It will be very difficult to take the ball from them. Both teams have similar styles, and I think it will be a great final.”
What future do you see for Filipe Luís as a coach?
“I don’t think about other coaches’ futures. I knew Filipe as a player, and he’s been a coach for a year and a half now. He’s doing brilliantly. I like not only how his team plays, but also his non-verbal language on the bench. He’s very interesting, and I wish him success — except when he plays against my teams.”
Final question about Luis Enrique’s comments preferring to face Pyramids FC rather than Flamengo.
“A Brazilian TV interviewed me and I said I didn’t want to face Flamengo. I hadn’t analyzed Pyramids beyond that match. Every time you give an opinion, someone won’t like it. What was clear is that I didn’t want to face Flamengo — a team I know well — in the final. And I can confirm that.”