Messi to Face former Club PSG in Club⁢ World Cup Round ⁣of 16

​ Updated June 30, 2025
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Lionel Messi ‍will‍ lead ⁢Inter Miami against his former club, Paris Saint-Germain, in a highly‌ anticipated FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 ⁢match. the game ‌is scheduled for ⁣Sunday at 12 p.m. ET (16:00 GMT) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in⁤ Atlanta.

Messi’s⁢ move to PSG followed a long and storied career with Barcelona. While he secured domestic titles with the Parisian club,⁢ the coveted ⁢Champions League title eluded him, leading to his transfer to Inter Miami in ‌2023.

PSG, fresh off their first Champions League‍ victory, now boast a youthful squad under‌ the guidance ⁢of coach⁣ Luis Enrique. ⁤The match will‍ also see Enrique reunited with former Barcelona players Messi,​ Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba,‍ and Sergio Busquets, all now ⁢playing for Miami under coach javier Mascherano.

“Luis Enrique is a phenomenon,”‍ Alba‌ said.”I’m excited to see⁤ him…but ⁤when the ref⁣ blows the opening whistle,‌ we’ll ⁣try to beat him.” ⁢suarez added that Enrique “injected even more” competitive spirit into him.

adding another layer of intrigue, several of ⁢Miami’s Barcelona veterans were part​ of the team that defeated PSG in the 2017 ​”Remontada,” a Champions League tie where ⁢barcelona overcame a 4-0 ⁣first-leg deficit with a ‌6-1 victory‌ in the return match.

PSG enters the match following ⁤a 1-0 loss to Botafogo in ⁤the ‍group stage. Inter Miami finished second‌ in their‌ group, highlighted by a 2-1 victory against Porto.

Mascherano acknowledged Enrique’s influence, stating, “It will be an ​honour for⁢ me facing a great coach.” He added that Messi is driven when ‌he has “something on his mind.”

Messi himself admitted he “didn’t⁢ enjoy” his time at PSG, describing​ it⁢ as “a tough period.”

Regarding team news,Ousmane Dembele is ⁢questionable for PSG,while Jordi Alba has returned from injury for Inter Miami.‌ Drake Callender remains sidelined.

Predicted starting ​lineups:

PSG: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha,⁣ Neves; Kvaratskhelia, Ramos, Doue

Inter Miami: Ustari; Weigandt, Aviles, Falcon, Allen; Allende, ⁤Redondo, Busquets, Segovia; Messi, Suarez

Form guides ‍(all competitions):

PSG: W-W-W-L-W

Inter Miami: ⁣W-W-D-W-D

What’s next

The winner of ⁣this ⁣match will advance to the Club⁤ World Cup quarterfinals.‍ PSG hopes to continue their dominant run after their Champions League victory, while Inter Miami looks ⁢to prove their mettle on the international stage with Messi leading the charge.