Messi Faces Former Club as Inter Miami Take on Champions PSG in Club World Cup Clash
ATLANTA, United States — Football fans are set for a tantalizing showdown as Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami prepare to face his former club Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 on Sunday. The match at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium (16:00 GMT) pits a rising European powerhouse against a star-studded MLS side in what promises to be one of the tournament’s most emotionally charged encounters.
A Reunion of Legends
The game marks Messi’s first competitive meeting with PSG since his 2023 departure from the French capital to join Major League Soccer. While his two-year stint in Paris brought domestic success, it failed to deliver the coveted Champions League trophy—a dream finally realized by PSG just weeks ago under Luis Enrique.
Now, the Argentine maestro leads an Inter Miami side packed with former Barcelona teammates—Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets—against a youthful PSG squad riding high after their historic European triumph. The match also reunites Miami coach Javier Mascherano with Luis Enrique, under whom he played during Barcelona’s treble-winning 2014-15 campaign.
“Luis Enrique is a phenomenon,” said Alba. “I’ll give him a hug, but once the whistle blows, we’re here to win.”
Contrast of Eras
The clash represents a fascinating battle between generations. PSG, rejuvenated by emerging stars like Bradley Barcola and Vitinha, enter as favorites but showed vulnerability in a surprise 1-0 group-stage loss to Brazil’s Botafogo. Fatigue from a grueling European season could play a factor.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami—reliant on the veteran brilliance of their ex-Barca contingent—advanced as Group B runners-up, with Messi’s match-winning display against Porto proving decisive. At 37, the World Cup winner remains Miami’s talisman, though questions linger over whether his aging supporting cast can withstand PSG’s intensity.
Unfinished Business
For Messi, the match carries added weight. His PSG tenure was marred by a strained relationship with sections of the Parisian fanbase, particularly after his 2022 World Cup triumph with Argentina. Sunday offers a chance for closure—and perhaps a measure of revenge.
The Miami core also shares history with PSG, having been instrumental in Barcelona’s legendary “Remontada” comeback in 2017, when the Catalans overturned a 4-0 first-leg deficit to win 6-1. While that night remains a painful memory for PSG, their current crop—many of whom weren’t part of that collapse—now carry the confidence of Champions League winners.
Tactical Battle
Mascherano, in his first major coaching role, faces a stern test against Luis Enrique’s dynamic system. PSG’s high-pressing style and rapid transitions could exploit Miami’s defensive frailties, but the Herons’ possession-based approach, orchestrated by Messi and Busquets, might disrupt the French side’s rhythm.
“It’s an honor to face Luis Enrique,” said Mascherano. “But we believe in our game.”
What’s at Stake?
Beyond personal narratives, victory would signal a statement for either club. For PSG, it’s a chance to cement their status as Europe’s new elite; for Miami, a triumph would validate their ambitious project and offer Messi a symbolic victory over his former employers.
With pride, legacy, and a quarterfinal berth on the line, Sunday’s encounter is more than just a football match—it’s a collision of past and present, where legends and rising stars alike will write another chapter in the beautiful game’s ever-evolving story.
