Messi Faces Former Club as Inter Miami Takes on Paris Saint-Germain
In a highly anticipated matchup, Inter Miami is set to face off against Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning Champions League winners, in the Club World Cup round of 16. For Lionel Messi, this encounter will be a unique challenge, as he rarely finds himself in the position of underdog. However, with Paris Saint-Germain’s recent 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the Champions League final, the odds are stacked against Inter Miami.
This match marks the first time Messi will face his former club since leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 after a two-season stint. Furthermore, he will be reunited with his former Barcelona coach, Luis Enrique, who now helms PSG. Enrique had a profound impact on Messi’s career, coaching him for three seasons at Barcelona from 2014 to 2017. During this period, Enrique led the team to nine titles, including two La Liga trophies, three Copa del Rey wins, and one Champions League victory.
Messi’s time under Enrique was particularly notable for the formation of the "MSN" trio, alongside Luis Suarez and Neymar. This trio combined for an impressive 364 goals and 173 assists over three memorable seasons. Suarez, reflecting on Enrique’s influence, noted, "He has been very important to my career, what I learned from him and just being around him. I had a competitive DNA before I played for him, but he upgraded it even more." Other Inter Miami players, such as Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, also had the opportunity to play under Enrique, while coach Javier Mascherano considers him a great friend.
Despite entering the tournament on a slump, Inter Miami has managed to advance to the round of 16 after securing a 2-2 draw against Palmeiras, finishing as runners-up in Group A. This achievement makes them the only Major League Soccer team to reach this stage of the competition. As the stage is set for this exciting matchup, all eyes will be on Messi and Inter Miami as they take on the formidable Paris Saint-Germain, led by the experienced Luis Enrique. The question on everyone’s mind is: Can Inter Miami pull off a stunning upset, or will Paris Saint-Germain’s dominance prevail? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – this encounter promises to be an unforgettable clash of football titans.
