Messi’s “Bitter Feeling” Lingers as Inter Miami’s Club World Cup Dream Ends in PSG Thrashing
ATLANTA, GA—Lionel Messi stood stone-faced under the Georgia Dome lights Sunday night, his hot-pink Inter Miami jersey drenched in sweat. Around him, Paris Saint-Germain’s players celebrated a 4-0 demolition that felt decided before halftime. The scoreboard told a story of continental hierarchies: UEFA’s reigning Champions League titans vs. Major League Soccer’s hopefuls. For Messi, it also told a story of regret.
The Collapse That Changed Everything
Just days earlier, Inter Miami had dominated Brazil’s Palmeiras, leading 2-0 with 10 minutes left. A win would have secured an easier knockout-round matchup against Botafogo. Instead, Miami conceded twice in seven minutes, settling for a draw that sealed a date with PSG—Messi’s former club and Europe’s most ruthless machine.
“There was a bitter feeling after Palmeiras,” Messi admitted post-match. “We were winning 2-0 and drew . . . which made us face PSG, a much tougher team. It’s not criticism—just a situation that could’ve been different”. Teammate Jordi Alba echoed the sentiment: “We were better than all three group rivals. But today? PSG really puts you through your paces”.
PSG’s Merciless Onslaught
From the opening whistle, PSG exposed Miami’s frailties. Portuguese midfielder João Neves headed home an uncontested sixth-minute free kick. By halftime, Neves had added a second, followed by a comical Tomás Avilés own goal and Achraf Hakimi’s rebound strike. The stats laid bare the gulf:
- Shots: 19 (PSG) vs. 3 (Miami)
- Possession: 73% (PSG)
- Messi’s first-half touches: 14.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano called the half “kind of a bloodbath.” He added: “You cannot cover the entire field against PSG. Their mobility is overwhelming”
Messi’s Quiet Fury and Resilience
Messi, facing his former team for the first time since a turbulent two-year stint in Paris, showed flashes of brilliance—a lofted pass to Luis Suárez, a darting dribble past three defenders. But PSG’s coordination smothered him. When Hakimi—a former teammate—scored PSG’s fourth, Messi swiped angrily at midfielder Vitinha.
After the match, though, Messi struck a conciliatory tone: “PSG are a huge team. We tried our best and left a good image at this tournament”. Mascherano defended his captain: “Leo played an amazing game. He’s 38, and people still buy tickets just to see him. That’s his greatness”
The Backstory: A Tournament Built for Stars?
Inter Miami’s presence in the Club World Cup sparked debate. FIFA President Gianni Infantino had personally announced their qualification last fall—bypassing MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy—citing their regular-season record. Critics called it a cynical ploy to leverage Messi’s star power. Ticket sales initially flopped ($349 for cheap seats vs. Al Ahly), forcing last-minute student discounts.
Yet Messi delivered drama: his free-kick winner against Porto propelled Miami from the group stage—further than fellow MLS clubs Seattle and LAFC. As The Athletic noted, FIFA’s gamble “just about worked,” with 60,000+ crowds at three of Miami’s four games.
What’s Next: MLS Reality Check
Miami now flies to Montreal for a July 5 MLS match—no time to dwell. “It’s over,” Messi said. “We must think about our own tournament”. But bigger questions loom:
- Can MLS close the gap? Miami ranks 151st globally per Opta—below England’s Preston North End.
- Fan loyalty post-Messi? As one supporter tweeted: “He doesn’t deserve this humiliation!”.
For PSG, the victory reinforced a philosophy shift. Once obsessed with galacticos, they now prioritize cohesion. “This isn’t an individual sport,” coach Luis Enrique stressed. “The most important thing is to be a team”