PSG and Botafogo Set for Fiery Showdown With Intercontinental Feel

It’s not officially the Intercontinental Cup, but Thursday’s Group B clash between PSG and Botafogo at the 2025 Club World Cup has all the elements of one. As reported by FutbolRed, Europe’s and South America’s reigning champions face off with a ticket to the round of 16 on the line—and plenty of off-field tension.

Both sides enter the match on a high. PSG crushed Atlético Madrid 4–0 in their opener, while Botafogo edged Seattle 2–1, setting the stage for a battle of equals. Yet, the real drama may come from the executives' box.

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and Botafogo owner John Textor have a history. Textor, whose Eagle Football Holdings also owns Lyon, has openly criticized Al-Khelaïfi for Qatar's state-backed funding of PSG. Their conflict peaked during a heated 2024 video call over Ligue 1’s TV rights, when insults reportedly flew.

On the pitch, PSG remain favorites, though they could be without Ousmane Dembélé, sidelined with a quadriceps injury. Bradley Barcola is expected to step in. Botafogo, led by the experienced Gonzalo Mastriani and Igor Jesus, will look to exploit any cracks in the Parisian armor.

This isn’t just a match—it’s a cultural and economic clash between two footballing empires. With no clear favorite and rising tensions, expect sparks both on and off the field.