Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique says he is not a 'fraud' nor 'the chosen one' ahead of UEFA Champions League clash at Villarreal
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Published 03/11/2026 at 12:37 GMT
Manager Luis Enrique insisted he is neither a fraud nor "the chosen one" ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's UEFA Champions League clash with Villarreal on Tuesday. The Spanish manager has led the French giants to unprecedented success in the last two years, becoming European champions for the first time in 2024/25 before defending their crown last season.
'This is a lie' - Enrique accuses pundits of calling him a fraud
Video credit: SNTV
PSG have started the new campaign in ominous form too, winning nine consecutive games in all competitions ahead of their trip to Spain, live with TNT Sports 4 on HBO Max at 20:00 UK time.
Enrique's side sit top of the league phase table with a perfect three wins from three, a run which has included statement victories over potential title rivals Barcelona and Manchester City in their last two outings - both by 4-2 scorelines.
The French side will therefore be heavy favourites against a Villarreal team coming off a 1-0 defeat to Espanyol that left them ninth in the La Liga standings at the weekend, and with just three points to show from their Champions League exploits thus far.
However, Enrique spoke passionately about the importance of taking a long-term perspective on things ahead of the game.
"We have all won, we have all lost," he reporters during a press conference. "I have been through countless situations where I was considered a 'fraud' by a lot of people, and that fraud has kept evolving and improving, because that is the mindset a coach must have.
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"And now, everyone thinks I'm 'the chosen one' or I don't know what. And this is all a lie, all a lie.
"The important thing is to follow your path. And along the path, the beautiful thing is that there are potholes, curves, and climbs.
"Then the downhills also appear, which are very rewarding, but in the end, you appreciate the bad moments more. And if this is a 'bad moment' for Villarreal, quote-unquote, I am sure they will get many positive things out of it."
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Villarreal began their league phase campaign with a 3-2 defeat away to Borussia Dortmund, but bounced back impressively by beating Napoli 3-1 at home in game week two.
Last time out, they fell to defeat in a 4-3 thriller at Anfield against Liverpool, twice going in front before succumbing to a comeback from The Reds.
PSG, meanwhile, followed up their impressive victory over Barcelona with two victories in Ligue 1, beating Lyon at home and then thumping Le Havre 5-1 on the road, with Achraf Hakimi scoring a hat-trick.
The French champions will continue to be without their trio of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele and Marquinhos, who all suffered injuries in the win over Barca.
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