Real Madrid Accused of Trolling PSG After Chelsea’s Club World Cup Win
Real Madrid have come under fire from fans online who believe the Spanish giants may have taken a subtle dig at Paris Saint-Germain following Chelsea’s 3-0 win over the French champions in the Club World Cup final.
Chelsea stunned PSG at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Sunday night, securing the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup title with a dominant performance led by Cole Palmer, who scored twice and assisted the third.
Soon after the final whistle, clubs from across the globe began congratulating Chelsea on their emphatic win — including Real Madrid, who had been knocked out of the competition by PSG in a bruising 4-0 semi-final defeat.
But Madrid’s message raised eyebrows.
Madrid’s ‘Innocent’ Message
Posting on their official X (formerly Twitter) account, Real Madrid wrote:
“Congratulations to Chelsea FC and all their fans for a well-deserved FIFA CWC title. And our congratulations to FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino for the brilliant organisation of the 2025 Club World Cup.”
On the surface, it appeared to be a polite and professional statement. But fans quickly picked up on what was not said — namely, there was no mention of PSG, who had just lost the final, despite being the team that had humiliated Madrid in the previous round.
Fans Suspect a Subtle Dig
While Madrid’s message didn’t name PSG directly, some fans interpreted the omission as deliberate — and a veiled jab at the team that knocked them out.
Responses on social media were quick and fiery:
- “Why does this look like trolling?” one user asked.
- “Would you have congratulated PSG if they had won?” another questioned.
- A Chelsea fan chimed in: “Madrid is lowkey thanking Chelsea for beating that team that embarrassed them. You’re all welcome.”
- Another added: “CORRECTION – Congratulations to Chelsea FC and THANK YOU FOR SAVING US FROM THE PARISIAN NOISE.”
The tone of the comments suggests many fans believe Madrid used the opportunity to quietly celebrate PSG’s downfall — without needing to say it outright.
Tension Between the Giants
Tensions between Real Madrid and PSG have simmered for years, especially following clashes over players like Kylian Mbappé, who was long courted by Madrid before signing a surprise contract extension with PSG in 2022. Their rivalry has only grown more intense, both on the pitch and in boardroom politics.
With Luis Enrique’s PSG dispatching Madrid 4-0 in the semi-final, it’s easy to understand why some suspect the Spanish club’s congratulatory message to Chelsea was more than just sportsmanlike etiquette.
Chelsea Take the Crown
Chelsea, meanwhile, bask in the glory of being crowned Club World Cup champions, securing $125 million (£90 million) in total earnings — and perhaps winning a few neutral admirers along the way for halting PSG’s run.
Still, in a strange twist, Chelsea’s place in the next Club World Cup is not yet guaranteed, despite winning the current edition. FIFA’s evolving qualification format means there’s still uncertainty surrounding future participation — though Chelsea’s performance leaves little doubt about their capability to return.
The Final Word
Whether Real Madrid’s message was a veiled dig or just formal congratulations, one thing is certain: the drama surrounding European football’s elite clubs never ends at the final whistle. Chelsea may have lifted the trophy — but the subplots off the pitch continue to stir.
Real Madrid Accused of Trolling PSG After Chelsea’s Club World Cup Win
