Miami Gardens, Fla. — Noah Allen shifted uncomfortably at the microphone, his hands fumbling as he reflected on a "bittersweet" situation. Inter Miami had advanced to the knockout stage of the Club World Cup, but they squandered a two-goal advantage against Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium, which left them facing Paris Saint-Germain instead of progressing as Group A champions. As reporters questioned the 21-year-old defender about his mixed feelings and upcoming matchups, he candidly admitted, "I would rather play against Botafogo," referring to the alternative scenario. If Inter Miami had topped their group, they would have met Botafogo instead of PSG.
"It’s tough," Allen began, searching for a diplomatic answer.
Before he finally admitted, "Yes, perhaps."
The global soccer community is buzzing at the prospect of Sunday’s match, which will mark the first official encounter between Lionel Messi and one of his former teams. This isn’t just any old reunion; it touches upon Messi’s tumultuous exit from PSG, a period marked by dissatisfaction and a desire for change, all while PSG thrived in his absence.
Alongside Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé transformed PSG into the ultimate soccer "super team." However, despite the club’s success, their performance in the Champions League tells a different story, with former Barca coach Luis Enrique trying to mold a promising new squad.
"It’s a relentless and impressive team," noted Inter Miami’s Tadeo Arende. Miami’s coach Javier Mascherano labeled PSG as a "great team," while Messi’s longtime friend Jordi Alba referred to them as "the best team in the world."
Alba remarked, "Now they’re playing the best football in Europe… and obviously, that’s going to be very complicated."
He was referring to the daunting challenge that PSG poses on the pitch, as they recently dominated Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final. Yet, "complex" also describes the off-field dynamics, as Messi has acknowledged he faced difficulties during his time at PSG, admitting he never wanted to leave Barcelona. His move to Paris was largely a result of "last-minute decisions" due to financial constraints at Barca.
After spending his adult life at Barcelona, adapting to a new city was hard. Messi shared feelings of unhappiness in his Parisian home, noting, “I struggled with change.” While he celebrated league titles in France, an early exit from the Champions League led to fan discontent, culminating in booing and protests following his absence from a training session due to personal commitments.
Ultimately, Messi left PSG for a fresh start in South Florida with Inter Miami, where he now shines. Reflecting on his past, he acknowledged, "the majority of Parisian fans had a ripple," underscoring the mixed feelings surrounding his departure.
Now, as he prepares for a showdown with PSG in the Club World Cup in Atlanta on Sunday, Messi returns at a pivotal time for both him and the club, moving past personal struggles to face familiar faces on the pitch. At 38, with a legacy slowly fading, he’ll contend with a team that is arguably outmatched against a coach he holds in high regard.
Despite the looming challenges, Alba aphoristically declared, "Why not dream?" He emphasized, "In 90 minutes, anything can happen, and we are ready to fight."
Mascherano echoed these sentiments, recognizing PSG’s superiority but reaffirming the unpredictable nature of soccer. "You never know," he stated, highlighting how the sport often allows underdogs to compete fiercely.
The players are aware of PSG’s abundance of "elite athletes" capable of capitalizing on even the slightest mistakes, making victory seem unlikely. Yet Mascherano concluded, "We have to play. We’ll put forth our utmost effort and see what unfolds. Maybe it could be our day—you never know."
Though Allen may have preferred an easier matchup against Botafogo, he stated, "I believe we are excited to play such quality… We welcome the challenge."
Fan Take: This upcoming match is significant for soccer fans because it highlights not only the clash between Messi and PSG but also a narrative of redemption and resilience. A strong performance from Inter Miami could reshape perceptions of MLS and elevate the sport’s profile in a global context.
