Lionel Messi is set to face his former club PSG in the knockout stage of the Club World Cup — a club with which he didn’t exactly have the warmest of relationships.
But it’s not just about “former club PSG.” Beneath that simple line lies a complex mix of tension, dissatisfaction, and unresolved emotions. Now, wearing Inter Miami colors, the Argentine magician is gearing up to confront the very club where things didn’t quite go as planned. And according to Miami coach Javier Mascherano, those lingering wounds might just light a fire within Messi ahead of the clash.
Inter Miami will take on PSG this Sunday in the Round of 16. European giants PSG enter the match as clear favorites and one of the top contenders for the title. For Inter Miami, merely qualifying for the tournament was a significant milestone. After reaching the knockout stage, Mascherano said it was a historic moment — both for the club and for Major League Soccer.
But if they want to put up any real fight against PSG, Messi will likely need to deliver another superhuman performance — especially considering the unfinished business he has with his former side.
After being forced to leave Barcelona, Messi joined PSG in 2021. Over his two seasons there, glimpses of his brilliance were rare. More importantly, PSG’s main ambition — the Champions League — ended in disappointment, with the club crashing out in the Round of 16 both times.
Though he was initially greeted with great enthusiasm by fans in Paris, the affection quickly faded. Messi was booed on multiple occasions at home. After leaving the club, he later admitted he hadn’t been happy there.
Now, ahead of this high-profile showdown, that past is again in the spotlight, with various media dissecting the dynamics between Messi and PSG. Coach Mascherano, however, sees it as motivation.
“If Messi steps onto the field carrying that anger, that’s only good for us. He’s the kind of player who, once something gets stuck in his mind, becomes desperate to give more,” Mascherano told ESPN.
There’s another layer to this fixture as well. PSG’s current coach, Luis Enrique, knows both Mascherano and Messi well — the trio shared years at Barcelona. But unlike Messi’s PSG saga, this relationship carries only mutual admiration.
“Luis Enrique was my coach for three years, but more than that, he’s my friend. We have a wonderful relationship. Facing one of the best coaches of my career will be an honor,” Mascherano added.