PSG head into the Intercontinental Cup trying to manage a problem that has become recurring in the first half of the 2025/26 season, the difficulty of keeping the squad available. Luis Enrique is working to recover key players, but he already knows he will not have a full-strength lineup. Hakimi is a confirmed absence after an ankle sprain, while other central figures remain in delicate situations, creating uncertainty on the eve of an international final.
The list of players under close watch is significant. Dembelé is out after a viral illness that ruled him out of the scoreless draw with Athletic Bilbao in the sixth round of the Champions League, and he has yet to return to action. Marquinhos, the team’s captain, suffered a hip injury and has an undefined status for the final against Flamengo or Pyramids. Beraldo and goalkeeper Chevalier, in turn, have been named in the squad again after time sidelined by injury and appear as possible short-term reinforcements.
Luis Enrique remains cautious
Luis Enrique struck a direct tone when discussing the squad situation, without making promises or offering guarantees. When addressing Dembelé’s prolonged absence, the coach acknowledged the impact of missing the forward and was also cautious when speaking about Marquinhos. "It’s a shame for him and for the team not to have seen Ousmane (Dembelé) back to his normal form in the first four months of the season. (about Marquinhos) There’s no reason for concern, but I don’t know if he’ll be available for the Intercontinental. I hope that after Christmas, with time and the return of some players, I can have the team ready to face the most important part of the season."
The statement helps frame PSG’s current moment. It’s not just about one match or a specific competition, but rather a period in which the club is still trying to stabilize its roster before the decisive phase of the European season.
Results support PSG despite the issues
Even while dealing with absences, PSG continue to post consistent numbers. In Ligue 1, they sit in second place with 33 points, just one behind Lens. In the Champions League, they have 13 points after six rounds, with four wins, one draw and one loss, a record that places them among the best teams in the league phase.
Before the Intercontinental Cup final, the Parisian side will still take the field this Saturday against Metz in Ligue 1. The match comes as another obligation in a tight schedule, with special attention on the squad’s physical condition.
PSG arrive competitive, backed by results, but still dependent on the medical progress of key players. How Luis Enrique navigates this stretch, balancing performance and recovery, could be decisive not only for the Intercontinental final but for the rest of the season as well.