PSG and Inter Miami face off in the round of 16: Messi against his former team and other reunions

Miami (USA) (EFE).- Lionel Messi against his past or the reunion of the ‘Barça’ clan with their former coach Luis Enrique will be some of the highlights of the Club World Cup round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Miami, after the draw of the Americans against Palmeiras.

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Inter Miami seemed to have everything going for them to finish as group A leader when they were winning by two goals against Palmeiras in the 80th minute of the last group stage match. However, two goals from the Brazilians in that short period of time turned the tables and put the Brazilians first due to goal difference.

Meeting on June 29th

The match between Inter Miami and PSG will take place on June 29th at the Mercedez-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. It will be the first time Messi crosses paths with the Parisian team since he left France in the summer of 2023 to sign for the Florida team. It’s no secret that the Argentine’s time at PSG was not what either party dreamed of. His two seasons in Paris resulted in two French league titles, but with two consecutive eliminations in the round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League. The PSG comes from touching European glory at the hands of the Spanish coach Luis Enrique. The coach arrived in France precisely the season after Messi’s departure, with whom he had shared three years at FC Barcelona.

Old acquaintances

In addition to Messi, Luis Enrique also coached Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba – all of whom are currently at Inter Miami – during his time at Barça. Suárez himself assured today in the press conference after the match with Palmeiras that he felt great respect for his former coach, who said that he influenced him a lot in those three years together. “I already had a competitive DNA, but he incited it more in me,” she maintained. Another former Barça player for whom the match will be special will be Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano, who will have to plan a tactical battle with his former coach. “Luis is a friend (…) I have a very special relationship with him, very special with his family. It’s obviously going to be special to face him,” said Mascherano after the match against Palmeiras, defining the Spaniard as one of the best coaches he has had in his career.