ATLANTA – Inter Miami has already exceeded expectations at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, making it through 16 rounds with a 2-1 win over FC Porto and two draws against Al Ahly and Palmeiras.
Miami narrowly avoided facing PSG; they had a 2-0 lead against Palmeiras in their last group match but let it slip in the final seven minutes, which allowed the Brazilian team to equalize. Had they won, Inter Miami would have faced Botafogo in the next round instead of the reigning European champions.
When asked if the team would rather play a Brazilian club in the knockout stage, Miami defender Noah Allen said, “Yeah, probably.”
For the younger players on the Inter Miami roster, the upcoming match will be a significant challenge against a fresh European champion and one of the finest teams globally. Inter Miami homegrown players Benjamin Klemasi and Allen, who have never played in competitive matches outside the Concacaf region before this tournament, will be tasked with marking top talents like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé.
For veterans Luis Suárez, Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, the Round-of-16 matchup holds special significance as it’s a reunion with their former Barcelona coach, now PSG manager, Luis Enrique. Inter Miami’s coach, Javier Mascherano, also played for Enrique, making this encounter even more meaningful for him and his team.
“He was likely one of the best coaches I’ve had in my career,” Mascherano said about Luis Enrique on Saturday. “He convinced me to stay in Barcelona; I gained so much from his coaching.”
For Messi, this game is particularly poignant. It’s the first time he faces one of his former clubs in a competitive setting since his turbulent time at PSG, which began in August 2021 shortly after he bid an emotional farewell to Barcelona. Despite wanting to stay, Barcelona’s financial struggles forced Messi to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Messi had previously acknowledged that PSG could fulfill his ambitions, making the thought of teaming up with Kylian Mbappé and Neymar appealing. However, he expressed disappointment upon returning from the World Cup to receive no recognition from PSG.
“I was the only player who didn’t get any acknowledgment,” Messi remarked.
Mascherano highlighted Messi’s importance to the team: “As Argentinians, we understand the legacy created by the World Cup. The most crucial thing is that Leo is thriving and contributing to us, which is incredibly reassuring.”
Even with two league titles at PSG, where he scored 21 goals and provided 20 assists, Messi admitted that adapting to the club was challenging. On June 1, 2023, PSG’s former coach, Christophe Galtier, announced Messi’s departure, and just two days later, Messi played his last match amidst negative reactions from fans, marking the end of a tumultuous chapter.
“I spent two years not enjoying it. I wasn’t satisfied with training, matches, or my daily life. Adapting to everything was hard,” Messi reflected on his time at PSG.
On June 8, he surprised many by announcing his move to Inter Miami. Even two years later, tensions between Messi and PSG remain, with some French media presenting critical narratives around him.
Mascherano believes Messi’s competitive spirit will elevate his performance. “For us, it’s better that Messi is fired up,” he told ESPN. “When he has something on his mind, he tends to push himself harder—we welcome that.”
Alba added that while this reunion might stir emotions, Messi’s main objective is always to win. “At the end of the day, Leo wants to win every game, like all great players do,” Alba stated. “I know how he feels about Barcelona, and while I wasn’t with him at PSG, I know he had strong feelings about his time there.”
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The upcoming match against PSG will be a defining moment for Messi in this first knockout round of his career, presenting a classic David vs. Goliath scenario for Inter Miami, even with the world’s best player in their ranks. Despite the evident discrepancies between the teams, Inter Miami isn’t shying away from dreaming big.
“For me, PSG is the best team in football right now. They have versatility and excellent players in every position. Overall, I see them as the most complete team,” one player affirmed.
“Why not dream of beating European champions? It’s a tall order. We understand the quality of their players, and I think Luis Enrique is the best coach in the world—I know him well.”
Following Miami’s last group match, Alba’s reflections echoed through the press areas. “We’re playing a great team on Sunday, likely better than us,” Mascherano remarked. “But in football, anything can happen. That’s what makes this sport extraordinary,” Mascherano continued. “We often see underdogs compete and even win.”
With nothing to lose, Inter Miami is gearing up for its most significant challenges yet, all while fully recognizing the global spotlight on them.
Fan Take: This matchup is crucial for soccer fans as it pits a rising MLS team against one of the elite European clubs, showcasing the growing competitiveness of American soccer. A strong performance from Inter Miami could signal a shift in the global landscape of football, attracting attention and talent to the MLS.
