Rio Ferdinand Reacts to PSG’s 4-0 Masterclass Over Real Madrid — and It’s a Wake-Up Call for Mbappé and Los Blancos
Former Manchester United and England legend Rio Ferdinand didn’t hold back after Paris Saint-Germain’s emphatic 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he showered praise on Luis Enrique’s coaching genius, while delivering a thought-provoking reality check for Kylian Mbappé and the current state of Real Madrid.
“Respect to Luis Enrique… What he’s done with Dembélé is nothing short of remarkable. He took a player once seen as a raw talent with flashes of brilliance and molded him into a consistent, world-class performer. That’s not just coaching — that’s elite-level man management.”
Ferdinand went on to highlight the psychological and cultural transformation within the PSG squad under Enrique. For him, the real masterstroke wasn’t tactics — it was the ability to get players who have been treated as prodigies their entire lives to work, sacrifice, and submit to a collective goal.
“We’re talking about players who’ve been treated like kings since they were kids — always the stars, the golden boys. For Enrique to get those kinds of egos to buy in, to press, to defend, to play for the team like their careers depend on it… That’s genius.”
One name stood out: Ousmane Dembélé. Once viewed as a frustrating enigma due to inconsistency and injuries, Dembélé has now become PSG’s driving force. Ferdinand didn’t mince words:
“Honestly, has Dembélé become more important than Mbappé? Right now, maybe yes. His humility, discipline, and ability to reinvent himself are pushing him to another level. He’s pressing like Usain Bolt on the starting line — focused, explosive, relentless.”
The pundit suggested that Dembélé could become a role model for future generations, not just for his talent, but for the mindset shift he embraced:
“If he ever wins the Ballon d’Or, it’ll be more than a personal triumph — it’ll be a message to young players everywhere: talent isn’t enough. Intelligence, discipline, and hard work are the ultimate game-changers.”
He also issued a broader reflection on the fragile nature of football dominance. Just two years ago, Real Madrid were on top of the world, lifting yet another Champions League trophy. Many, including Ferdinand himself, believed the Madrid era would continue unchecked.
“Two years ago, I thought Madrid would stay on top for a long time. They looked untouchable. But football moves fast, man. Blink, and everything’s changed.”
And now, the tables have turned.
“The big question now is: can this new-look Madrid, under Xabi Alonso, find their way back? With stars like Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., Bellingham and others — will they respond to this humiliation? Can they evolve the way Dembélé and PSG have?”
Ferdinand’s message is as much a tribute to Luis Enrique’s PSG as it is a challenge to Real Madrid. The days of relying on individual brilliance are fading fast — now, success is about structure, sacrifice, and the ability to adapt.
