Sport

Lionel Messi to face former team PSG in Club World Cup quarterfinals

Lionel Messi is set to face his former club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), in a highly anticipated quarterfinal clash at the FIFA Club World Cup, after leading Inter Miami out of the group stage in a historic run. The matchup promises to be one of the tournament’s most compelling narratives, as the Argentine icon returns to face the Ligue 1 giants he once called home.

Messi’s journey with Inter Miami has been nothing short of transformative. Since joining the MLS side in 2023, the World Cup winner has turned a struggling franchise into an international powerhouse. His leadership, vision, and enduring brilliance have not only earned the team silverware but also boosted Major League Soccer’s global profile. Now, with a place in the final four on the line, the eyes of the footballing world turn to what may be one of the most emotionally charged matches of his storied career.

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Inter Miami advanced to the quarterfinals after a gritty 2-1 win over Al Ahly of Egypt in the group stage finale. Messi was instrumental, assisting the first goal and netting the game-winner with a trademark left-footed strike from the edge of the box in the 87th minute. His performance secured Miami’s progress and sparked a wave of global headlines ahead of the PSG clash.

The upcoming match is loaded with emotional and competitive weight. Messi joined PSG in 2021 after an emotional exit from FC Barcelona, spending two seasons in Paris where he won multiple domestic titles. While his time in France was marked by individual brilliance, it was also shadowed by occasional criticism and strained fan relations, especially after PSG’s early Champions League exits. Now with Inter Miami, Messi seems rejuvenated. His chemistry with former Barcelona teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who are also part of the Miami roster, has reignited glimpses of their golden era in Spain. Their familiarity and cohesion have given Inter Miami an edge, even against more traditionally dominant clubs.

PSG, meanwhile, enters the quarterfinal with its ambitions. The Parisian club, led by Kylian Mbappé, is aiming to cement its global dominance with a Club World Cup title—one that has eluded them so far. The quarterfinal clash with Messi and Inter Miami offers a rare opportunity for the club to rewrite a part of its recent history and perhaps, in poetic fashion, overcome one of its former icons. Football fans are already buzzing with excitement over the fixture, billed as a “revenge” game by some, and a “farewell reunion” by others. Regardless of the outcome, it will be a symbolic match, pitting old loyalties against new legacies.

The match is scheduled for Sunday at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Anticipation is sky-high, and ticket demand has reportedly tripled in the days since the fixture was confirmed. Major broadcasters have also ramped up coverage, with live pre-match shows, interviews, and fan commentary expected to dominate the sports media landscape in the lead-up. From Barcelona to Paris and now Miami, Messi’s story continues to evolve in ways even the most creative scriptwriters couldn’t imagine. This quarterfinal offers more than just a path to the Club World Cup title—it provides a moment of full-circle closure for a player whose career has defined generations of football fans. As the world watches Messi lace up against PSG once again, one thing is certain: history is ready to be made, and the beautiful game will take center stage.

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