The organization of the Champions Trophy in Qatar in the middle of January has attracted a lot of criticism. But if there is one club that has decided to take advantage of it, it is unsurprisingly Paris Saint-Germain.
Paris Saint-Germain's mini-training in Qatar at the start of 2025 is perhaps one of the turning points of the season for the capital club. In the league, everything is going well for PSG, undisputed leader of Ligue 1 and winner of the Champions Trophy against AS Monaco this Sunday afternoon. In the Champions League, on the other hand, the situation is more delicate, and the poor European results have strained the atmosphere in the locker room, where Luis Enrique has annoyed several players.
PSG took advantage of the training in Qatar to do something new
The internship in Qatar was therefore an opportunity to start off on the right foot, which was done according to L'Equipe. The national daily reveals that this Qatari interlude allowed the players to clear their minds with several activities that are outside the daily routine of the season (remote-controlled car races in the desert, football on the beach, autograph session). Proof that the atmosphere was one of relaxation and group cohesion, a giant barbecue was even organized… in the presence of President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, who is no longer in the habit of sharing moments of conviviality as was the case case this weekend with the players.
“Anecdotal scenes but never neutral” according to the newspaper, which notes that Luis Enrique insisted on bringing the entire squad to Qatar, including the undesirables Kolo Muani and Skriniar, proof that the watchword was cohesion this weekend. “These three days away from Poissy will not erase all the resentments that permeate the life of a team, likely to rise to the surface at the slightest grain of sand. Nor will they solve his limitations on the field (finishing, power). But these ingredients, put together, could have a role” concludes our colleague José Barroso.
Hoping for Paris Saint-Germain that this completely rediscovered cohesion and this excellent state of mind which seems to emerge from Luis Enrique's players will allow them to achieve a benchmark match against Manchester City on January 22 in the Champions League. Because in the event of disillusionment and elimination during the C1 classification phase, this mini-course in Qatar will quickly be forgotten.
