The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami is set to be a captivating encounter, pitting Lionel Messi against his former club in a classic David vs. Goliath battle. The match takes place on Sunday, June 29, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
PSG, fresh off winning Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League, is considered one of the best club teams in the world. Inter Miami, on the other hand, is looking to cause an upset and progress to the quarterfinals. Inter Miami, representing Major League Soccer, advanced to the knockout stage thanks to Messi's contributions. However, a collapse against Palmeiras in the group stage led to an early clash with the European champions. PSG, despite a loss to Botafogo in the group stage, showcased their attacking prowess with a win over Atletico Madrid.
This match carries significant weight due to Messi's history with PSG. He joined the French club from Barcelona in 2021 but never quite found his stride in Paris, despite winning domestic titles. After winning the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, some PSG fans turned against him. Messi himself admitted he "didn't enjoy" his time at PSG. Adding another layer to the narrative, Luis Enrique, the current PSG coach, formerly coached Messi at Barcelona. Mascherano believes the unhappy memories from his time in Paris could motivate Messi.
Inter Miami recognizes they are the underdogs but are determined to shock the world. Midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi referenced Botafogo's surprising win over PSG in the group stage, suggesting that Inter Miami could follow a similar blueprint. Defender Noah Allen stated the team believes they can win, drawing confidence from their previous games against Porto and Palmeiras. Inter Miami secured a place in the Round of 16 after finishing second in Group A with two wins and a draw. They drew 0-0 against Al Ahly, beat FC Porto 2-1, becoming the first CONCACAF club to defeat a European opponent in an official competition, and drew against Palmeiras. A key factor for Inter Miami will be minimizing mistakes.
For PSG, the exits of Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe marked the end of an era. Under Luis Enrique, they have rebuilt with a renewed sense of purpose, culminating in their Champions League victory. PSG's attacking threats include players like Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola.
While Messi is a key player for Inter Miami, the team has shown they are not a one-man show. Luis Suarez has also been a significant contributor, and Sergio Busquets dictates play in midfield. Inter Miami will need another standout performance from Messi, similar to his free-kick goal against FC Porto. Messi's skill and touch remain sharp, and his ability to create opportunities remains a threat. If Miami gets a free kick or he finds a little sliver of space, watch out.
The match will be streamed live on DAZN. The winner of the match will advance to the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup and face the winner of Flamengo versus Bayern Munich.
