The 2025 Club World Cup semifinal, which faces Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid on July 9 at the New York Metlife Stadium, has taken an unexpected turn before the initial beep. Marquinhos, the Captain and Defensive Pilar of the PSG, has unleashed a media storm with explosive statements in which he affirmed that the successes of Real Madrid in the Champions League are not due to talent, but to the luck and alleged favoritism of the UEFA and the referees. These words, pronounced in a press conference prior to the party, have generated a wave of reactions on social networks, especially among Real Madrid and Barcelona fans, where Marquinhos currently plays in a surprising loan. However, Real Madrid’s coach’s response, Xabi Alonso, has been as strong as brief: “History does not lie, we won.” These seven words have silenced the Brazilian and have further fueled the rivalry before this crucial encounter.

Marquinhos, known for his leadership and solidity in defense, is no stranger to the controversies, but his comments have touched a sensitive fiber in Real Madrid. During the press conference, the Central said: “Real Madrid has been lucky for decades. Its Champions are not only for quality, but for arbitration decisions and UEFA support.” These accusations are not new in European football, where Real Madrid has been frequently indicated by alleged arbitration favors. Historical cases, such as the doubtful penalty in favor of Alfredo Di Stéfano in the 1957 final against Fiorentina or the cancellation of a goal from Bayern Munich in 2024 by a controversial offside, they have fed these suspicions. However, Marquinhos’ statements, which plays on loan in Barcelona after a complicated season with the PSG, have been seen as an attempt to destabilize Real Madrid before a key game.

Social networks, especially X, have become a battlefield. Real Madrid fans have defended the 15 Champions titles of their club, highlighting the quality of players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and now Kylian Mbappé. “Marquinhos should look at his own record before speaking,” one user wrote, while another commented: “Luck does not win 15 European glasses.” On the other hand, the followers of Barcelona and some of the PSG have supported the words of the Brazilian, remembering arbitral controversies such as the goal annulled to Matthijs de Ligt in 2024 or the penalty not indicated to Marcos Alonso in 2022. The controversy has climbed with the viralization of a video that shows a bag with the shield of Real Madrid in the clothing of the referee Szymon Marciniak, who directs this party, which has further fueled suspicions of bias.

Xabi Alonso’s response, a new Real Madrid coach after happening to Carlo Ancelotti, has been a master coup. With its characteristic calm and precision, the Basque coach did not fall into the controversy trap. His seven words, pronounced with a serene smile at the press conference, have been performed as a reminder of Real Madrid’s hegemony in Europe. Alonso, who assumed the white bench in May 2025 after a successful stage at the Bayer Leverkusen, knows well the pressure of Santiago Bernabéu, where he played as a footballer. His arrival has generated illusion among fans, especially after the signings of Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who reinforce a team beaten by injuries this season. Alonso also has experience in handling high voltage situations, as he demonstrated by winning the Bundesliga with the Leverkusen, and his response to Marquinhos reflects his ability to stay above the provocations.

The context of this party could not be more intense. The PSG, led by Luis Enrique, arrives as a favorite after his overwhelming victory in the Champions League 2025 against Inter Milan (5-0). However, Real Madrid, with Mbappé in full form and a renewed spirit under the direction of Alonso, is not far behind. Marciniak’s designation as a referee has added more firewood to the fire, since his history includes controversial decisions in Real Madrid matches, such as the cancellation of a Bayern goal in 2024, which generated criticism of Thomas Tuchel. PSG fans fear that the story will be repeated, while Madrid players trust that their team will impose their quality in the field.

For Marquinhos, these statements could have consequences. Although his leadership is indisputable, his passage through Barcelona has been irregular, and his words could be interpreted as an attempt to win the culé fans. However, the silence that followed Alonso’s response suggests that the Brazilian did not expect such a forceful replica. While the world of football expects this clash, the arbitration controversy remains a hot topic. FIFA and UEFA, under pressure, must guarantee impartiality to prevent the accusations of Marquinhos from winning more echo. In the grass, the story will be written with goals, not with words.