Gianluigi Donnarumma warns PSG ‘hungry’ for more success at Club World Cup

Paris Saint-Germain's Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma jumps for the ball during a training session. PHOTO: AFP

UPDATED Jun 19, 2025, 11:16 AM

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IRVINE – Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma warned on June 18 that the newly crowned European champions were “hungry” for more success at the Fifa Club World Cup, as they prepared to face Brazil’s Botafogo.

The French giants launched their Group B campaign in impressive style on June 15, sweeping aside Spanish side Atletico Madrid 4-0 at the Pasadena Rose Bowl.

The victory marked a seamless entrance to the tournament for PSG, a little over two weeks after their 5-0 drubbing of Inter Milan in the Uefa Champions League final.

Italy’s Donnarumma said the team were intently focused on winning a fifth piece of silverware this season after starting the tournament “the same way we finished” the Champions League.

“The Club World Cup is a very important competition for us, we must continue to remain 100 per cent focused to reach the final and the trophy,” the goalkeeper told reporters ahead of the June 19 (June 20, Singapore time) clash with Botafogo, also at the Rose Bowl.

“Everyone is hungry for victories, to win titles; it’s important for now and for next year,” he added after training at the University of California.

Spanish midfielder Fabian Ruiz, meanwhile, said PSG were comfortable with being tournament favourites.

“It’s positive if everyone is talking about us, isn’t it?” he said.

“For our game, what we’re doing... But we don’t feel that pressure, we don’t think about that, but rather about the next match.”

While it is all positive in the PSG camp, coach Luis Enrique has also warned against complacency.

“It is only the first game (against Atletico),” the Spaniard said.

“What we did shows the quality of the team, the desire that the team has to come to this tournament and fight for a higher place on the podium... but it is only the beginning and there are still many things left to happen.”

PSG’s opponents Botafogo reached the Club World Cup by winning the Copa Libertadores for the first time in 2024.

The Brazilian side opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders on June 15.

PSG’s Portugal international striker Goncalo Ramos said Botafogo were an unknown quantity.

“I know them a little, I know the coach, but I don’t watch many of their matches because they play late. But they’re a good team, it’s different for us to play against a team from Brazil,” he said.

After the game at the Rose Bowl, PSG will travel north to Seattle for their final group match against the Sounders on June 23.

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In related news, Spanish World Cup winner Olga Carmona said she is ready to step up another level with PSG after signing with the French club for three seasons on June 18.

The 25-year-old left-back arrives in the French capital after five years with Real Madrid, having started her footballing career at her hometown club Sevilla in 2017.

“I’m very excited and motivated by this new challenge, the idea of joining a big club,” she said.

“It was the moment to leave my comfort zone to continue to grow as a player and as a person. When I arrived (at Real) I was a young girl and I leave a woman. I dared to take up this challenge and I am very happy about it. I think that we can do a lot of great things, I’m here to win.”

Carmona scored the winning goal in Spain’s 2023 World Cup final victory over England in Sydney.

Despite other tempting offers, PSG was a dream move for the former Real captain.

“Paris is a city that I’ve always loved... this club has always attracted me,” she added.

“From the moment that I decided to leave Madrid, I wanted to learn about another culture, another country and language. Now I have to learn French... I’ll do my best to adapt as quickly as possible and bring a lot to the team.” AFP, REUTERS

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