Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said winning the Club World Cup felt just as special as winning the Champions League after his team defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final of FIFA’s newly formatted tournament on Sunday.
Maresca, who joined Chelsea a year ago, previously worked with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City when they won the Champions League in 2023. Reflecting on this latest win, he said, “This competition brings together the top clubs from all over the world, so I believe it deserves the same respect as the Champions League—if not more.”
He was proud to bring the title to Chelsea, saying it’s a huge moment for the club and its fans. “It’s a great victory. Our fans will see this badge on our shirts for the next four years, and that’s something to be proud of,” he added.
Talking about the team’s approach, Maresca revealed he told his players to start strong. Chelsea scored all three goals in the first half—two from Cole Palmer and one from Joao Pedro. “We wanted to make it clear from the beginning that we came here to win. The first 10 minutes showed our intent, and then our players’ quality made the difference,” he explained.
Cole Palmer, who was named player of the match, played a key role with two goals and an assist. The 23-year-old England forward has been in the spotlight throughout the tournament, even appearing on promotional billboards in New York alongside stars like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.
“It felt amazing to score,” Palmer said. “We showed real energy and followed the coach’s plan perfectly. I just try to do my job every time I play and hope to keep performing like this.”
He also shared how exciting it was to see his image featured in Times Square and outside Madison Square Garden. “It’s a nice feeling to be seen alongside some of the best players in the world,” he added.