On Wednesday in Qatar, during the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, PSG's Matvey Safonov saved Flamengo’s Leo Pereira’s penalty in the shootout. (Reuters)

PSG coach Luis Enrique mentioned yesterday that Matvei Safonov may have saved two penalties with a broken hand, which helped Paris Saint-Germain win the Intercontinental Cup.

The Russian goalie blocked four penalty kicks during the shootout in Qatar on Wednesday. PSG barely beat Flamengo to win the trophy.

Luis Enrique said, “The player doesn’t even know how he did it.

“We believe it happened on the third penalty kick. He moved strangely and fractured his hand. He saved the last two shots despite the fracture. The adrenaline was so strong that he didn't feel any pain. It’s amazing.”

The club stated that “they will share more updates in three to four weeks.”

Luis Enrique, who has dealt with many injuries this season, mentioned he hasn’t spoken to Safonov yet.

Luis Enrique added, “It’s karma. Life is telling him he needs to rest and get better. With his attitude, he’ll be back stronger.”

Luis Enrique spoke before facing Vendee Fontenay in the French Cup.

The coach might keep playing backups in the domestic cups and choose third-choice Renato Marin as the goalie. However, he might use this chance to let Lucas Chevalier play his first game since recovering from an ankle injury.

Safonov’s performance seemed to stir up a debate about who should be the starting goalie for the European champions.

The 26-year-old Russian started the season as the second choice, but his winning plays in Qatar came after a few good performances while filling in for the injured Chevalier, who didn’t start the season so well.

Chevalier, who turned 24 in November, was brought in over the summer because coach Luis Enrique liked how he handled the ball with his feet, but he hasn’t always looked as good at stopping shots.

Just about three months after winning the Ballon d'Or, Ousmane Dembélé snagged another big one: FIFA's Best Men's player of the year award.

In the 2024-2025 season, the 28-year-old French player scored 35 goals and assisted 16, helping PSG clinch four trophies, including their first Champions League title.

Coach Luis Enrique was named the 'Best' coach for leading the team to victory.

The 55-year-old Spaniard took over from Christophe Galtier at PSG in July 2023.

By the next July, his squad, featuring Kylian Mbappé, had already grabbed the Ligue 1 title, the French Super Cup, and the Coupe de France.

After Mbappé left for Real Madrid, Enrique reshaped his team, and they dominated domestically for a second season. They also crushed Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final.

Even though Chelsea beat PSG for the FIFA Club World Cup in July, PSG bounced back by defeating Tottenham Hotspur in the European Super Cup final in August.

Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, along with Portuguese players Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, and Vitinha, joined Dembélé in FIFA's 'Best' men's team of the year.

Their spot on the team shows how well they performed all year, securing titles like the club's first Champions League win, PSG stated after the FIFA awards in Doha, Qatar.

On Wednesday night at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Enrique and his top players will face Flamengo, the Copa Libertadores champions (South America's version of the Champions League).

Flamengo is doing great right now; they've won many trophies, Enrique said. I like how they play. I remember watching them at the Club World Cup. They played some amazing games. They're a great team with and without the ball.

After the game in Doha, PSG will head back to France to defend their Coupe de France title against Vendée Fontenay Foot, an amateur team in the fifth tier of French soccer.

"We wanted to make history with PSG last season, and we did," Enrique added. Now, we want to keep it going this season. We need to be ready and focused against Flamengo.

Every moment could be key. I think the team has the same attitude this season that they had last season.

Filipe Luis, Flamengo's coach, admitted that his team is the underdog. "PSG is the best team worldwide," said the 40-year-old Brazilian.

They proved that by winning the Champions League. They're here because they're the best, and we're going to try our best to win and make history.