Who: Inter Miami vs. Paris Saint-Germain
What: FIFA Club World Cup round of 16
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, United States
When: Sunday, June 30 at 12pm (16:00 GMT)
Follow us for the live stream of our live commentary stream on Al Jazeera Sport starting at 9am local (13:00 GMT).
Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami in the group of 16 matches against his former club, Paris Saint-Germain, in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Argentinian international forward has represented Barcelona since he was a youngster and has now become the champion of France.
Messi left PSG for a better place with his 2023 switch to Major League Soccer, where the coveted European success was not forthcoming.
A PSG side that many of the Galacticos were hired to win European glory are now Messi’s, full of youthful exuberance and riding the Champions League wave.
Al Jazeera Sport examines the game more closely.
Why does Messi’s Miami vs. PSG weigh so heavily?
A rare reunion of European football legends with old ties, recent regrets, and the chance for Lionel Messi to settle a score will be witnessed when PSG and Inter Miami square off.
A compelling contrast of eras is present in Sunday’s game between an Inter Miami team based on former Barcelona stars who are aging but still influential, and a PSG side driven by youth and energy who are just about to win their first Champions League title.
Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Enrique square off against four PSG players that he once led at Barcelona.
They have all now been reunited under Miami coach Javier Mascherano, a former player from Luis Enrique’s Camp Nou’s triple-winning era.
This week, Alba stated that “Luis Enrique is a phenomenon.” When the ref blows the opening whistle, we’ll try to beat him, but I’m excited to see him and will give him a hug.
Suarez, 38, reflected on the influence of his former boss: “He injected even more into me than he already had a competitive DNA.”
Has PSG a history with the Barcelona squad?
Ex-Barcelona players from Miami were a part of the 2017 “Remontada” against PSG, adding yet another layer of intrigue.
When Barca defeated PSG 6-1 in Spain after falling 4-0 to them in Paris in their final-16 Champions League game, that night was PSG’s darkest night.
At that time, Miami’s veterans were at their best.
They now rely on memory and rhythm, while a rising generation has transformed PSG’s core, with victories in the Champions League and victories in recent weeks.
What was PSG’s performance in the group stage?
Following a 1–0 defeat to Brazil’s Botafogo in the group stage that posed questions about fatigue following a long European season, the Parisian side arrive in Atlanta.
Even though PSG are still widely considered to be the best team in the world, their defeat revealed weaknesses in their roster. They have played more high-stakes matches than most of their rivals.
In their opening games against Seattle Sounders and Atletico Madrid, PSG won all three of their matches.
What was Inter Miami’s performance in the group stage?
Inter Miami had one win and two draws to go with second place overall, behind Palmeiras.
Their 2-1 victory over Porto, led by Messi, was crucial for their progress.
Can PSG be defeated by Miami’s Argentina axis?
“It will be a great honor for me to face a great coach, one of the best I’ve had in my career,” Mascherano of Luis Enrique said.
Mascherano, who is playing for the first time in his major club coaching position, gives a Miami side an emotional edge and tactical acumen that are physically unavoidable, especially with Messi in top form.
After leaving Barcelona in 2021, the great from Argentina endured a turbulent two-year spell with PSG. Although he won domestic silverware, Messi failed to find peace in Paris, and some fans turned against him after his 2022 World Cup triumph.
Messi earlier this year admitted to not enjoying myself at PSG. It was a difficult time, they said.
Mascherano thinks that memory still motivates him.
Messi said this week, “When something gets in his head, he gives a little extra.”
What exactly did Messi do wrong at PSG?
He appeared to be the puzzle’s piece because PSG had reached the Champions League final and then the semifinals two years prior to Messi’s arrival.
Instead, they turned around and left with him in the side, leaving the last 16 years of elite club competition in Europe.
With Neymar and Mbappe, Messi’s estimated annual salary of 30 million euros ($35,2 million) after tax, and his expected annual salary also weakened them as a team.
In the end, some PSG supporters who felt Messi’s support for the cause was lacking were even making fun of the Barcelona legend.
When Messi led Argentina to the World Cup in Qatar in late 2022, he was a PSG player, but his genius was only apparent at club level in France.
With 32 goals and 35 assists in 75 appearances, he did win two Ligue 1 titles while contributing to PSG’s brand value.
Meanwhile, Miami coach Javier Mascherano believes Messi may continue if he is upset about his time in Paris.
For us, it’s obvious that he should play angry because he’s one of those players who puts in extra effort when he’s at work, Mascherano said, according to Mascherano.
Last season’s performance for PSG?
Under Luis Enrique’s direction, PSG’s stunning 5-0 victory over Inter Milan at the end of last month in Munich, which gave them the opportunity to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time, marked the conclusion of an incredible treble-winning season for the Qatar-backed side.
What was Inter Miami’s performance last season?
Miami won the MLS Cup, which is regarded as the highest prize in the MLS, beating LA Galaxy, who won the league’s highest prize, earning them a spot at the Club World Cup.
Miami broke MLS’s regular-season points record with a 6-2 victory over the New England Revolution to reach 74 points, which is higher than New England’s previous record set in 2021, making FIFA announce Miami’s inclusion in the Club World Cup in October.
PSG team news
After recovering from a hamstring injury, Ousmane Dembele is currently training, but he might not even be fit enough to play on the bench.
With Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in, Goncalo Ramos and Bradley Barcola are competing for the top spot. Dembele’s role was filled by youngster Senny Mayulu, who was chosen for the match against Seattle.
news from the Miami Inter-Team
Noah Allen will take Noah Allen’s place at left-back while Junior Jordi Alba recovers from injury.
The injured include Yannick Bright, Gonzalo Lujan, and Drake Callender. Oscar Ustari, a former defender for Venezuela, will continue to serve as his replacement.
PSG’s starting lineup was anticipated:
Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes, Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves, Kvaratskhelia, Ramos, Doue
Inter Miami starting lineup was anticipated:
Ustari, Weigandt, Aviles, Falcon, Allende, Redondo, Busquets, Segovia, Messi, Suarez, and others
PSG form manual (for all competitions):
W-W-W-L-W
Formal Inter Miami (for all competitions):
Source: Aljazeera
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