Inter Miami stands out as potentially the only MLS team to reach the Club World Cup`s last 16. After exceeding expectations in the group stage, their challenge intensifies significantly on Sunday as they face Lionel Messi`s former club, Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi departed the French champions in 2023 to join Miami, ending a two-year period in his club career that was characterized more by difficulties and unfulfilled expectations than notable success. Despite winning two Ligue 1 titles and the Trophee des Champions during his brief spell in Paris, the team`s failure to secure the UEFA Champions League during the era of Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe remains a key part of that two-year period`s legacy. This contrasts sharply with his triumphant accomplishments for Argentina, including defeating Mbappe`s France in the World Cup final during his final months as a PSG player.
The upcoming round of 16 match in Atlanta serves as a fresh reminder of Messi`s time in Paris, particularly as this tie is unique in the knockout stage. Inter Miami is expected to be the sole non-European or South American side advancing, making them clear underdogs against PSG, who recently claimed their first-ever Champions League title. The narrative of Messi facing a familiar adversary – managed by his former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique – will dominate discussions and could be a defining moment of the round.
Here`s a look back at major moments from Messi`s time at PSG.
How to Watch PSG vs. Inter Miami, and Match Odds
- Date: Sunday, June 29 | Time: 12 p.m. ET
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta, Georgia
- TV: TNT | Live Stream: Watch on DAZN
- Odds: Paris Saint-Germain -600; Draw +600; Inter Miami +1200
August 10, 2021: Messi Joins PSG
Just two days after an emotional farewell to Barcelona, necessitated by the club`s financial constraints preventing his re-signing, Messi officially transferred to Paris Saint-Germain. He stated the club `matches my football ambitions` in PSG`s announcement confirming the move, a decision widely seen as a natural fit given Messi`s salary requirements and PSG`s financial strength following the Qatar Sports Investments takeover in 2011. This transfer instantly positioned PSG, then managed by Mauricio Pochettino, as a major Champions League contender, especially with Neymar and Mbappe already part of what became one of football`s most formidable attacking trios.
September 28, 2021: Messi`s First Champions League Goal for PSG
As PSG solidified their dominance in Ligue 1, they achieved their first Champions League victory of the season against Manchester City, a match that saw Messi face his former Barcelona manager, Pep Guardiola. He scored his inaugural PSG goal in the competition that day with a stunning effort. In the 70th minute, Messi received the ball near the halfway line from Marco Verratti, drove forward into City`s half, found Mbappe near the box, who returned the ball with a quick touch, allowing Messi to fire a powerful shot into the net from the edge of the area.
March 9, 2022: Champions League Exit Against Real Madrid
Facing another familiar opponent, PSG finished second in their group and were drawn against Real Madrid in the round of 16. The tie did not go their way – despite Messi missing a penalty in the first leg, PSG secured a 1-0 home victory thanks to Mbappe`s stoppage-time goal. Mbappe then doubled the aggregate lead in the first half in Madrid. However, Karim Benzema`s rapid 17-minute hat-trick in the second half led to the star-studded PSG side`s elimination much earlier than anticipated.
March 8, 2023: Bayern Munich Eliminates PSG
Almost exactly a year after their elimination by Real Madrid, PSG suffered the same fate in the Champions League round of 16, this time against Bayern Munich. Under manager Christophe Galtier, PSG lost convincingly, 3-0 on aggregate over two legs. In contrast to their run to the final in 2020 and their eventual win after Messi`s departure, the two seasons Messi was at the club marked the only times they failed to reach the Champions League semifinals in a specific recent period.
April 8, 2023: Messi Breaks European Club Scoring Record
Although Messi later characterized his time at PSG as `difficult,` it wasn`t entirely without positive moments. In a match against Nice in spring 2023, Messi became the leading goalscorer in European club football, scoring his 702nd goal at that level and surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo. He also reached his 1,000th career goal contribution for his club career with this tally in PSG`s 2-0 victory.
June 3, 2023: Messi`s Final Match for PSG
Two days after manager Christophe Galtier confirmed Messi`s departure, the World Cup champion played his last match for PSG at the Parc des Princes. The occasion was notable, though not entirely positive for the club – Messi faced boos from some sections of the crowd, and the team lost 3-2 to Clermont, despite Kylian Mbappe scoring twice early in the game.
