Inter Miami concluded their third and last match in the group stage of the Club World Cup with a 2-2 draw against Palmeiras on June 23 at Hard Rock Stadium.
Inter Miami, alongside Porto, Palmeiras, and Al Ahly, were sorted into Group A for the competition, and now Lionel Messi's side and the Brazilian club have secured their spot in the Round of 16.
Palmeiras are pitted against domestic league rivals Botafogo next in the Club World Cup. Messi and Inter Miami, meanwhile, will face one of the Argentine icon's former clubs, Paris Saint-Germain.
🚨🌎 Inter Miami will face PSG, Palmeiras will face Botafogo.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 24, 2025
After parting ways with his boyhood club, Barcelona, Messi joined PSG in 2021 and continued with the Ligue 1 giants till 2023. While speaking in an interview with Apple Music earlier this year, the 38-year-old opened up about his experience at Parc des Princes and said,
“The way things turned out in my last years in Paris, even though I had to make a quick decision to leave Barcelona, I ended up spending two years that I didn’t enjoy. I wasn’t happy day to day—whether it was training, matches, or just adapting to everything.”
Now that Messi will be playing against PSG, Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has shared his thoughts on the upcoming clash.
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What did Inter Miami boss say about Lionel Messi facing PSG in Club World Cup?
Along with a reunion with his former club, Messi will also meet PSG boss Luis Enrique, who has coached the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner during their respective tenures at Barcelona.
While addressing his bitter exit from the French club, Mascherano told SportsCenter that it will be 'better' for Inter Miami if Messi 'plays angry' against PSG.
"No, it’s clear that for us it’s better if he plays angry, because he’s one of those players who, when he has something on his mind, gives an extra effort. But well, I think that’s already in the past; it’s a different story now," said the Argentine coach.
"Also, since it’s here in the United States, I don’t think the atmosphere will be the same. What we will try to do is play a great game because, to have any chance, we need to have a perfect match, and we will go for it," Mascherano concluded.
Messi & Co. are set to face PSG in the Round of 16 of the Club World Cup on June 29, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Lionel Messi & Inter Miami news and related links
- Inter Miami draw with Palmeiras earning Messi date with PSG in Club World Cup knockouts
- What Inter Miami need to qualify for Club World Cup knockouts
- Bayern Munich boss urges everyone to cherish 'special' Lionel Messi