“I Was Trying to Calm Him Down” – Luis Enrique Finally Breaks Silence on Fiery Joao Pedro Clash After Chelsea Humble PSG in Club World Cup Final
In a moment that stunned football fans across the globe, Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has spoken out for the first time since footage emerged of a heated post-match altercation involving him and star forward Joao Pedro, following PSG’s devastating 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Club World Cup final.
The dramatic clash occurred just minutes after the final whistle blew, confirming Chelsea’s dominance on the global stage with an emphatic win over the French giants. But while celebrations erupted in the Chelsea camp, chaos unfolded on PSG’s bench — and it didn’t take long for cameras to zoom in on what appeared to be Luis Enrique slapping Joao Pedro during a tense exchange.
Now, in a statement that has left fans both shocked and confused, Enrique has attempted to clarify what truly happened.
> “I was trying to calm him down,” Enrique told reporters during a press briefing in Paris. “He was furious. He didn’t want to shake hands with the Chelsea players, he was shouting and throwing things. I placed my hand on his chest and shoulder, but it may have come off more aggressive than I intended.”
But fans aren’t buying it so easily.
Social media exploded in the aftermath of the incident, with many calling the gesture a “slap” and questioning the harmony within PSG’s dressing room. Some fans even speculated that Joao Pedro could be considering a summer move away following the breakdown in communication and this public embarrassment on football’s grandest stage.
> “You can see it clearly. That wasn’t calming. That was frustration,” one fan tweeted. Another wrote, “If that’s Enrique calming someone down, I’d hate to see him when he’s angry.”
The tension follows a humiliating defeat for PSG, who came into the Club World Cup final as favorites but were outclassed in every department by a well-organized Chelsea side. Cole Palmer once again shone on the world stage, while Maresca’s tactical masterclass silenced doubters and cemented Chelsea’s spot among the world’s elite.
Yet despite Chelsea’s historic triumph, the headlines have been dominated not by their glory — but by the fiery fallout between Enrique and Pedro, hinting at deeper issues within the PSG camp.
With the club already under scrutiny after another failed European season and growing questions over leadership and dressing room unity, this public feud could not have come at a worse time for the Ligue 1 champions.
Whether Luis Enrique’s explanation will cool the fire remains to be seen. But one thing is certain — PSG have more than just a trophy loss to recover from. They have a crisis brewing behind the scenes.