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PSG DOMINANCE: WILL LUIS ENRIQUE’S CHAMPIONS OUTCLASS FLAMENGO IN THE DOHA FINAL

Luis Enrique and his star-studded PSG squad aim for more history in Qatar. Discover if the Parisians can conquer South America’s best.

PSG Dominance: Will Luis Enrique’s Champions Outclass Flamengo in the Doha Final
Can Underdogs Flamengo Stun FIFA’s ‘Best’ Team of the Year

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.

HOW MATVEI SAFONOV SAVED TWO PENALTIES WITH A BROKEN HAND WITHOUT FEELING PAIN

Matvei Safonov saved two penalties with a broken hand to help PSG win the Intercontinental Cup. Get the full medical update here.

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How Matvei Safonov Saved Two Penalties With A Broken Hand Without Feeling Pain

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.

THE BEST OF 2025: ANALYZING OUSMANE DEMBELE’S PSG TREBLE & BONMATI’S DOMINANCE.

Ousmane Dembele's historic UCL win and Bonmatí's treble dominance earned them The Best FIFA Football Awards. Analysis of the 2025 winners.

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Dembele, Bonmatí Sweep The Best Awards in Qatar Ceremony

Ousmane Dembele won FIFA's The Best award after a great year with Paris Saint-Germain, where they picked up their first Champions League title and a domestic treble. Aitana Bonmati, the Barcelona and Spain midfielder, was also recognised in Doha, Qatar, for an awesome year. Her achievements include a domestic treble with her club and being named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2025.

Dembele Wins Again

Dembele finished the 2024-2025 season strong, adding the Best FIFA Men's Player award to his Ballon d'Or. This solidified his place as one of the best. The French forward was key in Paris Saint-Germain's historic run, securing the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, and their first UEFA Champions League trophy. He also aided his team in achieving the Trophee des Champions and the Super Cup, for a total of five trophies in the 2024-2025 and the beginning of the 2025-2026 seasons.

With 35 goals and 16 assists, Dembele's play helped him edge out Barcelona's Lamine Yamal for the individual awards. Although Yamal, 18, had a super year himself, winning a domestic treble with Barcelona and Euro 2024 with Spain, which earned him the Kopa Trophy for best young player, Dembele's leadership in delivering PSG's first Champions League title made a difference in the voting. His comeback from an injury-prone player to a global star made his win a popular story.

Bonmati Dominates

Bonmati's 2024-2025 season confirmed her as a top player in women’s soccer, winning her third Ballon d’Or Féminin in a row. Despite a tough 1–0 loss to Arsenal in the Women's Champions League final, Bonmatí was named the season's best player for the third time, leading the competition with five assists and four goals.

At home, she led Barcelona to win all the Spanish titles, including the Liga F title, the Copa de la Reina, and the Supercopa de España Femenina. She also led Spain to the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 final, where she was named Player of the Tournament. She finished the year by being named the Best FIFA Women's Player for the third time in a row on December 16, 2025.

How FIFA Awards Work

The Best FIFA Football Awards for men and women are decided by votes from four groups in the soccer world. The votes are split evenly between national team coaches, national team captains, media from each area, and fans on the FIFA website. Each group accounts for 25 per cent of the vote. Voters pick their top three for each category, with five points for first place, three for second, and one for third. Captains and coaches can’t vote for themselves. The player or coach with the most points wins.

Challenges Ahead

Dembele is in contract talks with Paris Saint-Germain, looking for a new deal after winning the Ballon d'Or, while also dealing with injuries. He aims to aid PSG in defending their Champions League title and stay in shape for both club and country as they head into next year’s World Cup. Bonmatí is focused on recovering from leg surgery, which will keep her out for a few months. As she is committed to Barcelona with a long-term contract, she wants to come back strong for the end of the season to help her team win back the Women's Champions League title and keep winning at home.

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