Enzo Maresca, just a few weeks into the job, already looked like a coach with real ideas.
But instead of just celebrating a big win, this final turned into one of the strangest nights in recent football memory.
The actual game was overshadowed by what happened after the whistle Donald Trump showing up unexpectedly during the trophy ceremony, the crowd’s stunned reaction, and social media lighting up with memes and confusion.
For Chelsea fans, the trophy still counts. But for neutrals and viewers around the world, it was chaos.
Chelsea Weren’t Even Meant to Be in This Tournament
Let’s start with the obvious. Chelsea didn’t even qualify for the Club World Cup through the usual route. They weren’t Champions League winners. They didn’t finish top of the league.
In fact, their last Champions League campaign ended in a quiet 2–0 defeat to Real Madrid in the 2022–23 season, and they spent the following year in the Conference League which they did win.
That win gave them a backdoor route into this new expanded Club World Cup. But many fans questioned why they were here ahead of other European sides.
That Champions League-winning team from 2021? It’s barely the same squad now.
Most of those players have moved on, and only a handful like Reece James are still hanging around. But even James hasn’t had it easy. Injuries have kept him on the sidelines more often than not, and staying fit has been a real struggle for him over the past couple of seasons.
Tammy Abraham, Timo Werner, and even Mason Mount are long gone. These days, the names making a difference are Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, and João Pedro.
Chelsea came in with something to prove. And whatever you think of their inclusion, they delivered.
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea Are Starting to Take Shape
When Maresca was hired, it felt like another one of Chelsea’s wild swings. Another new face. Another gamble. But this tournament showed something different.
He’s got them playing together. With purpose. There’s less confusion, less panic. And more structure.
In the final against PSG, Chelsea pressed from the first whistle. They didn’t sit back or wait. They went after PSG from minute one.
Palmer scored early twice in the first 15 minutes and João Pedro added a third before the break. Chelsea were 3–0 up at halftime and never looked like losing control.
Maresca said after the game, “We won the game in the first 10 minutes. That’s when we set the tempo.”
It wasn’t just talk either. You could see the game plan. The players looked like they understood their roles, and they kept things simple and focused throughout the match.
That kind of clear structure hasn’t always been there for Chelsea in recent seasons. But under Maresca, things already feel a bit more organised and less frantic.
Palmer has quietly become one of the most consistent players in Europe when it comes to finals.
He left Manchester City in search of regular football, and it’s worked out far better than anyone expected. Not only has he become a starter at Chelsea, he’s become their go-to man in big moments.
Conference League final? Goal.
UEFA Super Cup? Goal again.
Euro 2024 final for England? Delivered.
Now Club World Cup final? Two goals and one assist.
This isn’t a fluke anymore. Palmer’s been turning up when it matters most big nights, big pressure, and he just keeps delivering.
After the match, he kept it real: “We’ve been working for this every day in training. The whole squad’s been locked in. Everyone played their part.” It wasn’t about him. It was about the team.
But anyone watching knows Palmer is quickly becoming the face of this Chelsea side. He doesn’t shout about it. He just performs.
Trump on the Podium: What Happened Next
After the final whistle, things took an unexpected twist during the medal ceremony. As Chelsea players stepped up to receive their medals, a few familiar faces appeared on stage and none more surprising than former U.S. President Donald Trump, whose presence hadn’t been announced beforehand.
There was no official introduction or prior notice just Trump, smiling and waving as he joined the podium.
The moment surprised many in the stadium and on social media. Cole Palmer was caught on camera looking confused. Reece James later said, “Yeah, it was strange. I didn’t expect to see him up there,” he said.
The audience remained orderly, with most spectators quietly observing the moment. Online platforms later reflected a broad range of public commentary on the moment.
Even FIFA president Gianni Infantino appeared uncertain. At one point, he gestured toward the stage, possibly in an effort to bring order, but nothing escalated.
Chelsea delivered professionally on the pitch. But after the final whistle, attention moved away from the football as the post-match ceremony took an unexpected direction.
What’s Going on With This Tournament Anyway?
FIFA has tried to turn the Club World Cup into a bigger deal. More teams. More matches. More attention.
But the truth is, it still feels like a weird mix of half-serious football and commercial spectacle.
There were long delays due to weather including a nearly five-hour pause in one of Chelsea’s earlier games.
The scheduling was all over the place. And the involvement of Trump, combined with FIFA’s recent move into Trump Tower in New York, made it all feel more like a business conference than a sporting event.
Even Maresca couldn’t hold back. He said, “If you suspend seven, eight games, maybe the U.S. isn’t the right place for this.”
And he’s probably right. For a tournament meant to grow the game globally, this version raised more questions than excitement.
Chelsea’s Takeaway? Progress and a Trophy
Despite all the chaos off the pitch, Chelsea will be pleased with what they saw on it.
They beat PSG 3–0 in a final. That’s a big statement, no matter what the competition. The team looked sharp, together, and motivated. Maresca’s tactics worked. The young players stepped up.
Of course, there are still issues to fix. The defense isn’t perfect. They’ll need to be stay consistent. And when expectations rise which they will now the pressure will come too.
But this is a step in the right direction. Chelsea haven’t looked this united in years. They finally feel like they’re building towards something.
PSG Weren’t at Their Best
For PSG, this was a night to forget. They came into the final as favourites and barely laid a glove on Chelsea.
Luis Enrique didn’t hide from it. After the game, he said, “We didn’t match their energy. They deserved it.”
They’re in transition too. Mbappé is gone. The squad is being reshaped. But this loss will sting, especially after such a strong Champions League campaign.
They’ll bounce back they always do. But it was clear they were second-best on the night.
A Trophy and a Circus
here’s what this result means.
Chelsea are Club World Cup champions. Palmer is the star. Maresca’s plans are working. The young squad is showing potential. And the fans finally have something to smile about.
But the tournament? That’s a different story.
From awkward weather delays to unexpected guests on the podium, this didn’t always feel like a celebration of football. It didn’t just feel like a football match there was a strange mix of politics, business, and general confusion in the air.
But credit to Chelsea. For all the noise off the pitch, they stayed locked in. Game after game, they showed up, stayed sharp, and handled their business like pros. No drama on the field, just solid football from start to finish. They deserved their moment.
Even if they had to share it with someone who didn’t kick a single ball.