Messi's Reunion Tour PSG Faces a Blast From Barcelona's Past!

Friends Reunited: More Than Just Messi Facing PSG at the FIFA Club World Cup

The atmosphere at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta crackled with anticipation. The FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 clash between Inter Miami and Paris Saint-Germain wasn't just another game; it was a reunion. While the spotlight shone brightly on Lionel Messi's return to face his former club, PSG, the narrative ran far deeper than just one legendary player.

PSG manager Luis Enrique found himself strategizing against not only Messi, but also three other players he had previously managed at Barcelona: Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. This Barça reunion added a fascinating layer to the already compelling match-up.

Adding another twist, Inter Miami's coach, Javier Mascherano, also played a key role under Enrique during their successful spell at Barcelona, culminating in a treble-winning season in 2014-15.

The ties between these teams stretched back further. Remember that historic Champions League Round of 16 tie in 2017?
Miami's core of ex-Barça players played a significant part in Barcelona's remarkable "remontada" against PSG, overturning a 4-0 first-leg deficit with a stunning 6-1 victory in the return leg. The game served as a potent reminder of soccer's capacity for the unpredictable.

Even Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham had strong connections to PSG. The English icon ended his illustrious playing career with the Parisian club, memorably showcasing his emotion when retiring in May 2013, after securing a league title that added to his achievements in England, Spain and the United States.

Beckham's connection wasn't a mere footnote; he deeply identifies with the club. He was recently spotted cheering on PSG at the Allianz Arena last month, celebrating their Champions League win against Inter Milan.

"To be honest, it’s quite an emotional match for me," Beckham shared with TNT Sports/DAZN before the game. "I only spent six months there, but it felt like 16 years. It’s a real family, it’s a real special club, owned by special people, run by a special man, and we’re very proud of this moment."

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham gestures ahead of the match. Mike Stewart/AP

The question was, could both teams find a positive outcome in this Club World Cup clash? Before the match, the odds heavily favored PSG.
Opta's supercomputer gave PSG a 20.6% chance of winning the entire competition, while Inter Miami's chances were a mere 0.3%.

Despite the odds, the allure of soccer lies in its capacity for surprises. And for Messi, the match presented a unique opportunity: the first time in his career he faced a former club in a competitive fixture. His time at PSG hadn't been the most trophy-laden or enjoyable, adding another layer of intrigue.

However, on the day, PSG proved too strong. They dominated the first half, racing to a 4-0 lead. João Neves scored twice, while Tomás Avilés contributed an own goal, and Achraf Hakimi added another. The second half was a more subdued affair, with PSG seemingly content to control the game.

While Messi tried to make an impact, Gianluigi Donnarumma, PSG's goalkeeper, proved difficult to beat. Ultimately, the gulf in quality was evident.

"There’s a huge lesson to be learned from here," admitted Inter Miami coach Mascherano.

Speaking after the match, PSG star Ousmane Dembélé expressed his pleasure at playing against Messi, highlighting the respect the players still hold for the Argentine legend.

With the World Cup approaching, the question remains: could this have been Messi's final game on the global stage?

Looking ahead, PSG advances to the quarterfinals, where they will face Bayern Munich in what promises to be a blockbuster match. While Messi and Beckham will be watching from the sidelines, the game promises to be another thrilling chapter in this Club World Cup.

As Beckham remarked before the game, "It's fine... it's all good." Perhaps a sentiment that, despite the scoreline, applied to the entire occasion, a celebration of friendships, rivalries, and the beautiful game.

Tags: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, PSG, Luis Enrique, Barcelona, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, FIFA, Javier Mascherano

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/30/sport/lionel-messi-inter-miami-psg-cwc-spt