On Wednesday, July 9, Real Madrid will play Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup semifinal. There is a lot of intensity in this game— not only on the field.
Days prior to the match, Kylian Mbappé officially withdrawn his criminal complaint against PSG for allegedly engaging in moral harassment and extortion. However, he is still pursuing €55 million in unpaid salary and loyalty incentives through the labor court.
It feels like personal revenge because of Mbappé’s departure in the summer of 2024, the ensuing legal dispute, and PSG’s Champions League victory without him.
Major media outlets have no trouble characterizing this as a case of retaliation. PSG teammates Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes actually recognize the emotional toll.
Technically, PSG have momentum—cruising past Bayern and Atl. Madrid—and Mbappé has been reintegrated into the fold amidst the legal de-escalation.
Mbappé, who scored an incredible volley off the bench in the quarterfinal and is expecting to do the same in the eagerly awaited semi-final match, also seems physically prepared.
Many, especially sports commentators, have characterized this match as retaliation. The lingering issue is highlighted by the €55 million battle that looms despite Mbappé’s formal withdrawal, which suggests a truce.
This match feels much more than a tactical rivalry when you combine that with PSG’s recent success without him and the emotional reunion with former teammates. It is a fight for pride, power, and peace—or lack thereof—between the player and parent club.
Despite being trailing Bayern Munich, PSG defeated them in a thrilling 2-0 victory to advance to the round of four down to nine men.
Real Madrid edged Borussia Dortmund 3–2, with Mbappé (ironically) scoring in stoppage time.
This match is an All-European Showdown, with PSG and Real Madrid renewing their storied rivalry in what many fans consider the tournament’s true “final.”
The winners of both semi-final matches meet on Sunday, July 13 in the final at MetLife Stadium, with a potential $125 million prize on the line.
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