Lionel Messi will face his former club Paris St-Germain in the last 16 of the Club World Cup on Sunday, as Inter Miami prepare for one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament in Atlanta.
The fixture, part of the expanded 32-team format, has drawn global attention, largely due to Lionel Messi’s presence and his history with the reigning European champions. The match is expected to be one of the tournament’s most attended.
Inter Miami’s participation followed a controversial decision by Fifa to grant a host-nation berth to a US club. Despite the expectation that MLS Cup play-off winners LA Galaxy would take the slot, Inter Miami were selected instead as 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield winners.
Despite the initial scepticism, Inter Miami progressed to the knockout stages unbeaten, qualifying on merit.
Their next challenge will be Luis Enrique’s PSG, widely considered the top club side in world football. The match will also reunite Messi with his former team, against whom he will play a deeper, more creative role from midfield.
At 39, Messi continues to influence matches through his vision and competitive drive. He remains determined to win, a trait evident in his frustration during a group match draw with Palmeiras, despite having already qualified.
Attention is also turning to whether Messi will return to the international stage with Argentina to defend the World Cup title next summer.
