New York sets the stage for a footballing heavyweight contest as Chelsea prepares to face Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup. For Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and the Blues faithful, navigating the formidable challenge posed by the reigning champions of Europe will likely hinge on the influence of one man: their captain, **Enzo Fernandez**.
The Argentine midfielder, already a FIFA World Cup winner with his national team at Qatar 2022, possesses a reputation as a specialist in decisive encounters. While the final squads of both clubs contain a handful of players who have tasted World Cup success – Fernandez himself, alongside PSG`s French contingent of Dembélé, Hernandez, and Kimpembe (winners in 2018) – it is Fernandez who finds himself in a potentially unique historical position.
Should Chelsea emerge victorious in New York, Enzo Fernandez would become the only player on the pitch to simultaneously hold the title of World Champion with his national team and World Champion with his club. A rare feat indeed, underscoring his rapid ascent in the global game.
The Winning Pedigree
At just 24 years of age, Fernandez has already amassed a trophy cabinet that speaks volumes about his winning mentality. His career trajectory, from South America to Europe`s elite, has been consistently marked by silverware. With **River Plate**, he claimed the Liga Profesional and Trofeo de Campeones. His time at **Defensa y Justicia** yielded the Copa Sudamericana and Recopa Sudamericana. Upon arriving in Europe, he quickly added the Primeira Liga title with **Benfica** in the 2022-23 season.
His impact at **Chelsea** has also begun to translate into tangible success. Just months prior to this Club World Cup final, Fernandez was part of the squad that lifted the Conference League trophy, even finding the back of the net in their dominant 4-1 final win against Betis. On the international stage, he was a pivotal figure in Argentina`s triumphant **World Cup campaign in 2022** and the subsequent **Copa America win in 2024** – coincidentally, also held in the United States.
A remarkable statistic highlights his aptitude for pressure moments: Fernandez has participated in six major finals throughout his career and has yet to taste defeat. Now, back on American soil and once again facing French opposition in a global final, he stands on the precipice of adding the FIFA Club World Cup to his collection, solidifying his status as a truly serial winner.