Ahead of Wednesday’s Club World Cup 2025 semi-final against Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium in New York (kick-off 9pm CET, broadcast on DAZN), Paris midfielder Fabian Ruiz (29) was interviewed in the mixed zone. It was an opportunity to talk about his former partner, Kylian Mbappé, but also ambitions before supporting his goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, 26, who is going through a difficult time with the injury to Jamal Musiala.
Ruiz: “Whether Kylian Mbappé starts or not is not our decision”.
What do you expect from this match?
You know, we know it’s going to be a big game and a very tough one. We’re coming here with a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of ambition to play a great game. We want to qualify for the final.
Would you prefer Mbappé to start or would you prefer him to start on the bench?
Whether Kylian Mbappé starts or not is not our decision, but Xabi Alonso’s. We don’t know who will play. We don’t know who will play, but we do know who will play. Real Madrid is a great team. With great players. And we know the quality of all of them.
Ruiz “ I’ll always wish him the best… Except tomorrow ”
How does it feel to have him back?
We know how good Kylian is. We know how important he is to Real Madrid. He’s given us a lot, it’s a pleasure to play with him and I’ll always wish him the best. Except tomorrow when we play him.
Would it motivate you to win against Mbappé’s Real Madrid?
No, the truth is that what motivates us is winning the first leg of the final. As I said, it’s a very important motivation for us to be in this final. We’re going to do our best to get there.
Ruiz “The match will be very close
Are you favourites to beat Real Madrid?
No, the truth is that I don’t think there are any favourites in this competition. We know that Real Madrid are a great team. We know that we are too. We’re a great team who’ve done things well, I think. It’s going to be a very tight game. I think anyone can win, but we’ll try to play our soccer, our game, to try and qualify.
Is it a complicated match for your goalkeeper?
For Donnarumma, it’s a difficult moment. An injury to a player is not good for anyone. He was involved in that action over there, and we know that wasn’t his intention. He went for the ball and was unlucky. We wish Musiala a speedy recovery, as he didn’t deserve that.
