New York City – Times Square, the pulsating heart of Manhattan, was painted in red and blue on Saturday night as hundreds of Paris Saint-Germain fans staged a boisterous show of support ahead of their Club World Cup final clash against Chelsea.
With drums pounding and flares lighting up the evening, Les Parisiens’ faithful took over the iconic square in scenes reminiscent of a European football festival.
Gathering around the statue of Father P. Duffy, PSG supporters jumped, sang club anthems, and waved flags in unison, transforming one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks into a fervent tribute to their club.
Videos circulating online show a sea of fans wearing PSG jerseys, many of whom had travelled across the Atlantic to back their team in the final set to be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The energy and organisation of the gathering showcased PSG’s growing global influence and underlined the passion of their fanbase.
“We’ve waited years for this kind of moment,” said Jean-Baptiste Fournier, a Parisian living in Brooklyn. “To be here in New York, on the eve of the final, with hundreds of fellow fans—it’s electric.”
This year’s expanded Club World Cup format has seen increased fan engagement, something FIFA was hoping to achieve by bringing elite European clubs to new international stages. PSG, one of the favourites heading into the tournament, have thus far lived up to expectations.
The French champions bulldozed through the knockout stages with a flawless record—defeating Inter Miami, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid, scoring ten goals and conceding none.
The final against Chelsea on Sunday promises to be a blockbuster affair, with both clubs eyeing their first-ever Club World Cup trophy. While Chelsea brings their own storied legacy and Premier League pedigree, it is PSG who have stolen the pre-match spotlight with their form—and now, their fans.
With security closely monitoring the Times Square gathering, the celebration remained peaceful and spirited, earning admiration from New Yorkers and tourists alike. “It’s like a festival,” said Maria Gonzalez, a tourist from Mexico. “I didn’t expect this kind of passion in Times Square.”
As kickoff nears, PSG fans will now turn their eyes to MetLife Stadium, hoping their vocal and visual presence translates into silverware on the pitch. For now, though, Times Square belongs to Paris.
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