Lionel Messi will come face-to-face with his former club, Paris Saint-Germain, in a headline-grabbing Round of 16 clash at the FIFA Club World Cup, after Inter Miami secured a dramatic group stage draw with Brazilian side Palmeiras. The match promises not just elite football—but a nostalgic battle of old allies turned rivals.
A draw with drama—and a historic step for Inter Miami
Inter Miami’s journey through the Club World Cup group stage culminated in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Brazilian giants Palmeiras, securing their place in the tournament’s Round of 16. It was a rollercoaster evening at Lincoln Financial Field, where goals from Tadeo Allende and veteran striker Luis Suárez gave Miami the edge before Palmeiras stormed back with two late goals from Paulinho and Maurício.
Despite conceding the equalizer in the final minutes, Inter Miami’s five-point tally proved just enough to send them through—albeit second in the group on goal difference behind Palmeiras. Portuguese side Porto and Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly were both eliminated following a thrilling 4-4 deadlock in their final group match.
Miami’s qualification marks a milestone not just for the club but for Major League Soccer as a whole. “It’s a historic night for MLS,” said Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano. “Before the tournament, if someone had told me we’d have this kind of performance against teams of this caliber, I’d have signed immediately. The entire league should be proud.”
European giants await—and so does a familiar face
As a reward for their group-stage resilience, Inter Miami now prepares for what is arguably their toughest test yet: a clash with UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain. But this isn’t just another knockout fixture—it’s a reunion steeped in narrative.
Lionel Messi spent two seasons at PSG from 2021 to 2023, before joining Inter Miami. Now, the World Cup winner returns to face his former club in a competitive setting, joined by a star-studded cast of ex-Barcelona teammates including Suárez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Mascherano.
Adding yet another layer of intrigue, PSG is coached by Luis Enrique—the same man who led Messi, Suárez, Alba, and Mascherano to a historic treble with FC Barcelona in 2015. “We know their players, and we know the coach—I had the honor of playing under him,” Alba told DAZN. “He’s the best in the world. But once the game starts, anything can happen. This is football. Let’s dream.”
PSG looks formidable, but Inter Miami has nothing to lose
Paris Saint-Germain’s path to the Round of 16 was more clinical, cruising past the Seattle Sounders with a composed 2-0 victory, courtesy of goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi. The European champions appear in ominous form, with a squad brimming with world-class talent and a system finely tuned by Enrique.
While PSG will rightly enter the match as favorites, Inter Miami has already proven they can compete with elite international sides. Their group stage performances showcased tactical discipline, resilience under pressure, and the kind of big-match experience that only veterans like Messi and Suárez can bring. “The challenge is enormous,” admitted Mascherano, “but so is the opportunity. To go up against a team like PSG at this stage in the tournament—it’s exactly what we dreamed of when this journey began.”
MLS’s lone survivors in a global contest
Inter Miami is now the only MLS club still alive in the Club World Cup. Seattle Sounders and LAFC, both strong contenders, were knocked out in the group stages—Seattle falling to PSG and LAFC bowing out earlier in the week. That leaves Messi and co. as the league’s standard-bearers on the global stage.
The achievement comes less than a year after Messi’s arrival in MLS sent shockwaves through North American soccer. Now, with a core of experienced international stars and an ambitious vision, Inter Miami is proving that it can hang with the giants of global football. “It’s more than just Inter Miami now,” said Mascherano. “It’s about showing that MLS clubs can compete at the highest level. We’re not just here to participate—we’re here to test ourselves against the best.”
A clash of past and present, with legacy on the line
Sunday’s Round of 16 clash is far more than just another fixture. It represents a crossing of paths for Messi, PSG, and Luis Enrique—one shaped by glory days at Barcelona, rebuilt careers in different corners of the world, and a shared hunger to win again.
For Messi, it’s a chance to remind the footballing world that even at 37, he remains a game-changer on the biggest stage. For PSG, it’s a chance to assert their dominance against a team built around their former icon. And for fans, it’s a rare footballing spectacle, steeped in nostalgia and rich with promise. Kickoff is set for Sunday. The world will be watching.
