Former Paris Saint-Germain striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has praised his former club’s progress, insisting they deserve “big respect” after a historic season — despite falling to Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup final.

The 36-year-old Cameroon international, who now plays for Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls, watched from the sidelines as Chelsea defeated PSG 3–0 in Sunday’s final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. But speaking after the match, Choupo-Moting was adamant that the result should not overshadow PSG’s accomplishments in what he called “a season to remember.”

“A hundred percent, they can be proud,” Choupo-Moting said. “Not only because they won the Champions League, but the way they played all year — I have a lot of respect.”

PSG reached the Club World Cup final for the first time in their history after dispatching European heavyweights Bayern Munich and Real Madrid en route. However, a dominant Chelsea side denied them the global crown with a clinical performance, capitalising on PSG’s visible fatigue after a long and gruelling campaign.

Despite the loss, the Ligue 1 champions close out the season as Champions League winners and Coupe de France holders — a domestic and continental double that reinforces their growing pedigree in world football.

“They conquered the whole world, kind of,” Choupo-Moting added. “It’s disappointing today, but it was a long season. They looked a bit tired out there, but definitely next year they’ll be competing for the trophy again.”

The forward, capped 73 times for Cameroon, is uniquely positioned to reflect on PSG’s rise. He was part of the squad that reached the 2020 UEFA Champions League final — their first — only to fall to Bayern Munich. Ironically, Choupo-Moting later joined Bayern and helped the German giants win the FIFA Club World Cup in 2021.

Now in the twilight of his career and playing in the United States, Choupo-Moting says PSG’s 2024 season shows the transformation of a club once derided as European underachievers.

PSG’s Champions League triumph earlier this year marked a watershed moment for the Qatari-owned club, who have long invested heavily in pursuit of continental glory. Under head coach Luis Enrique, the Parisians found balance between their attacking flair and defensive resilience, overcoming past failures to finally lift Europe’s most prestigious club trophy.

Their progress on the international stage was evident throughout the Club World Cup campaign — eliminating former champions Bayern and Real Madrid with tactical discipline and clinical finishing.

While Sunday’s final saw Chelsea dominate the physical and tactical battle, PSG’s season remains a turning point in the club’s identity. Once defined by high-profile signings and unfulfilled promise, they now carry the credibility of proven winners — and the expectation of sustained success.

Choupo-Moting’s endorsement echoes a growing consensus in world football: PSG may have lost the Club World Cup, but they have finally earned their place among the elite