Club World Cup semi-finals: perfect scenario to face your former team

The spotlight will be on Kylian Mbappe, who will be facing Paris Saint-Germain for the first time since he left the club for Real Madrid. But the other teams also have their weapons for the 'Law of the Ex'.

To be designated as a former club, we only consider spells with the senior team. An appearance at youth level does not count.

Mbappe vs PSG

Top scorer in the club's history with 256 goals. Six French titles in seven seasons and six top scorers in Ligue 1, Kylian Mbappe became one of the biggest stars in world football with PSG. Now at Real Madrid, the striker meets his former club for the first time in the middle of a World Cup semi-final.

The duel takes place while Mbappe is demanding 55 million euros from the French club for allegedly unpaid wages and bonuses. The player has the added incentive of proving his worth amid the growing theory that PSG have improved since his departure, given their unprecedented Champions League triumph.

Achraf Hakimi vs Real Madrid

Hakimi was still known by his first name, Achraf, when he was signed by Real Madrid. The right-back emerged with a lot of expectations, but had little space in the first team and played less than 20 games. The Moroccan had to leave the club to become one of the best players in his position.

In four meetings with Real Madrid, Hakimi has one win and three defeats. However, the only victory came in a match in which PSG were eliminated by Real in the last 16 of the 2021/22 Champions League. The defender is still looking for his first goal against the club that brought him up.

Thiago Silva vs Chelsea

"He came from PSG to win the Champions League," chanted the Chelsea fans to Thiago Silva. Despite arriving at the English club aged almost 36, the centre-back made history with the European title and became a Blues idol.

Thiago Silva's reunion with Chelsea seemed impossible after returning to Fluminense for the end of his career, but the scenario will materialise in the Club World Cup semi-final. The centre-back scored a decisive goal against the Blues when he was still with PSG in 2015, in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Joao Pedro vs Fluminense

In his second game in a Chelsea shirt, Joao Pedro will face Fluminense, the club where he rose to prominence. Six years after making his debut as a professional, the striker has climbed the ranks in English football to join the country's giants and the Brazilian national team.

Fluminense fans are certainly worried about the chance of the 'Law of the Ex' in one of the most important matches in their history, especially after Joao Pedro came on well against Palmeiras. His first goal for Chelsea could punish one of the people largely responsible for the youngster's success as a player.

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