Messi to Face Former Club PSG in Club World Cup/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Lionel Messi will face his former team, PSG, in the Club World Cup round of 16 after Inter Miami drew 2-2 with Palmeiras to progress. Miami and Palmeiras advanced from Group A, while Porto and Al Ahly were eliminated. The match sets up a dramatic reunion with Messi’s ex-teammates and coach Luis Enrique.
Messi to Face Former Club PSG in Club World Cup: Quick Looks
- Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami advances to round of 16 after 2-2 draw with Palmeiras
- Miami finished second in Group A on goal difference behind Palmeiras
- Messi will face PSG, where he played from 2021–2023
- PSG qualified with a 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders
- Reunion includes Messi, Suárez, Busquets, Alba, Mascherano vs. Luis Enrique
- MLS side Inter Miami is the only U.S. team to reach knockouts
- Palmeiras to play fellow Brazilian club Botafogo in next round
- Al Ahly and FC Porto eliminated after dramatic 4-4 draw
Messi to Face Former Club PSG in Club World Cup
Deep Look
Atlanta, GA — June 24, 2025
A blockbuster Club World Cup showdown is set as Lionel Messi prepares to take on his former club Paris Saint-Germain in the tournament’s round of 16. Inter Miami advanced following a tense 2-2 draw with Palmeiras, a result that secured both teams’ spots in the knockout stage.
Miami Progresses, Sets Up Dream Matchup
In a gripping Group A finale, goals from Tadeo Allende and Luis Suárez gave Inter Miami the lead, but late strikes by Paulinho and Maurício salvaged a draw for Palmeiras. Both clubs finished with five points, but Palmeiras topped the group thanks to superior goal differential. Despite conceding twice late, Miami had done enough to reach the last 16 — the only Major League Soccer team to do so.
The draw means Messi and Miami will face PSG, the European champions, on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Paris club earned their spot in the next round with a composed 2-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders, eliminating the MLS side and securing the Group B top spot.
A Reunion Years in the Making
Sunday’s clash carries emotional weight and footballing intrigue. Messi spent two seasons at PSG after leaving Barcelona in 2021. Now, the Argentine icon will reunite not just with old teammates but also with his former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique, who led PSG to their Champions League title and famously coached Messi, Suárez, and Busquets to Barcelona’s 2015 treble.
In fact, Inter Miami’s squad is a Barça reunion in itself: Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and manager Javier Mascherano all played under Enrique during Barcelona’s golden era. Now they’ll be facing off against him for a place in the quarterfinals.
Reactions from the Camp
“We know what PSG brings to the table,” said Jordi Alba. “They’re European champions. But this is football—anything can happen. We’ve competed well in every match and now we face a huge challenge. We’ll go toe-to-toe and see what happens.”
Head coach Javier Mascherano also celebrated Miami’s achievement. “We’ve made history for MLS tonight. To be one of the last 16 teams in the world in this tournament—every player gave more than 100 percent. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Group Drama Elsewhere
Atlético Madrid was eliminated from Group B despite defeating Botafogo 1-0. All three teams—PSG, Atlético, and Botafogo—finished on six points, but Atlético missed out on goal difference. Palmeiras, meanwhile, will face Botafogo in an all-Brazilian clash in the round of 16.
In Group A’s wildest match, Porto and Al Ahly fought to a dramatic 4-4 draw. Both sides needed a win to stay alive but fell short, resulting in their elimination.
Miami’s draw with Palmeiras and subsequent qualification not only marks a milestone for the MLS but also sets the stage for a narrative-filled clash between modern football titans and former allies now on opposite sides.
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