FIFA president Gianni Infantino assessed the expanded tournament he championed, saying: "It is already the most successful club competition in the world."

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was less enthusiastic, telling the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag it was "the worst idea ever implemented in football", because of demands on players as a result of the extended season.

PSG played its 65th competitive match and Chelsea its 64th since starting in mid-August last year. Each team will have 33-35 days off before the 2025-26 season opens.

"I told my players that this competition will become just as important, or even more important, than the Champions League," victorious Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said. But earlier, he had criticized the tournament's locale because of the adverse weather, describing the heat as dangerous and lamenting storm delays.

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac, meanwhile, said the grass at MetLife Stadium, site of next year's World Cup final, was so short "it's more like a golf green, so you can putt here."