'A great challenge': Luis Enrique praises Brazilian soccer ahead of PSG-Botafogo clash

VIDEO SHOWS: SOUNDBITES FROM BOTAFOGO AND PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN PLAYERS AND COACHES

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (JUNE 18, 2025) (REUTERS – See restrictions before use)

1. VARIOUS OF BOTAFOGO PLAYERS ON ROSE BOWL PITCH

2. BOTAFOGO DEFENDER, ALEX TELLES, WALKING ON THE PITCH

3. VITINHO AND TELLES TALKING TO REPORTERS

4. TELLES TALKING TO REPORTER

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BOTAFOGO DEFENDER, ALEX TELLES, SAYING:

“It's going to be a very difficult game for Botafogo as well. And we can expect a lot of commitment and a lot of fighting from us, because we know that this is also a game of opportunities for all of us, to show our work, to show why Botafogo got here. So every player deserves it and has to be in a game like this, in the World Cup, against top teams.”

6. VARIOUS OF BOTAFOGO MIDFIELDER, ALLAN, TALKING TO REPORTERS

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BOTAFOGO MIDFIELDER, ALLAN, SAYING:

“I think they can be the one of the favorites for the title, but we also know our quality. We know that tomorrow is a game where there is room for the first mistake and we can act on the field, with and without the ball, so that we can also enjoy ourselves and come away with a positive result. And that's it.”

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BOTAFOGO DEFENDER, VITINHO, SAYING:

“For football. This shows the evolution of football in other countries. Football is growing and that is very good. So, unfortunately, we no longer have championships to be able to play against European teams and other countries. But now we have the opportunity to play a World Cup. I hope that the level of football will improve, just because this is good for everyone.”

9. ALEX TELLES TALKING TO REPORTERS

10. FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 SIGN

11. FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LOGO

12. BOTAFOGO HEAD COACH, RENATO PAIVA, WALKING INTO NEWSER

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BOTAFOGO HEAD COACH, RENATO PAIVA, SAYING:

“No. Honestly, no. There is still little to say. As I said in the last press conference, I think the football graveyard is full of favourites. I have said this before. It is a game. Obviously, there are probabilities, but we prepare the games always in the same way or at least according to what my team is, what I want my team to do.”

14. CLUB WORLD CUP BALL

15. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BOTAFOGO HEAD COACH, RENATO PAIVA, SAYING:

“What I expect from Savarino and the others, all players, is that they interpret the moments of the match for me. The way we work. When it's time to defend, everyone defends. Everyone. You'll look at the other side, how Paris Saint-Germain is playing and winning. Everyone attacks, everyone defends.”

16. LOS ANGELES SIGN

17. PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN HEAD COACH, LUIS ENRIQUE, WALKING INTO PRESSER

18. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN HEAD COACH, LUIS ENRIQUE, SAYING:

“Well, for us, it's also very exciting to play against a top-level Brazilian team, with a very strong history behind them. Winners of the Libertadores in 2024, we'll surely be facing challenges and difficult playing conditions for us, perhaps different from European teams, but it will certainly be a great challenge and motivation for us as well.”

19. REPORTER FILMING ENRIQUE WITH PHONE

20. (SOUNDBITE) (French) PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN HEAD COACH, LUIS ENRIQUE, SAYING:

“I don't know, I don't know. He's improving very quickly, but at the same time, we have to be calm and think about what's best for the players. We're a real team and we want Ousmane Dembele back as quickly as possible with the rest of the players, with the team, but at that moment we have to wait and be prepared for everything.”

21. ENRIQUE SITTING AT NEWS CONFERENCE

22. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN HEAD COACH, LUIS ENRIQUE, SAYING:

“A question I've continually heard asked of South or Central American players is that Luis Enrique has said that European players are better than South Americans. No, I didn't say that. What I said is that, like the powerful players—you just said that there are ten Botafogo players who aren't here because most of them have gone to bigger or European clubs—it's clear we have an advantage. We have all the players who stand out in South America, Central America, and the Americas, whom we recruited for Europe. That's why I said that, not because we're better. In fact, when you look at those players, you're clearly talking about players of the highest level.”

23. VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF ROSE BOWL SOCCER PITCH

STORY: The two reigning champions of Europe and South America look to face off this Thursday (June 19) as Paris Saint-Germain and Botafogo clash at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for their second match in group B of the Club World Cup.

Luis Enrique said on Wednesday (June 18) his side was motivated and excited to face the Brazilian side, known for its rich history of winning and South American playing style.

“Winners of the Libertadores in 2024, we'll surely be facing challenges and difficult playing conditions for us, perhaps different from European teams, but it will certainly be a great challenge and motivation for us as well,” he said.

He also took the time to clear the air about comments he said might have been taken out of context previously about comparing South American and European players.

“We have all the players who stand out in South America, Central America, and the Americas, whom we recruited for Europe. That's why I said that, not because we're better. In fact, when you look at those players, you're clearly talking about players of the highest level,” he said.

For the Brazilian side, defender Alex Telles said, despite the tough task, the game presents itself to showcase Brazilian soccer to the world.

“We can expect a lot of commitment and a lot of fighting from us, because we know that this is also a game of opportunities for all of us, to show our work, to show why Botafogo got here,” he said.

(Production: Jorge Garcia)