Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s journey in the FIFA Club World Cup came to a close on Sunday afternoon after a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Herons had done well to advance from Group A without losing a match, securing second place and earning a last-16 showdown with the reigning European champions, PSG.
However, the French giants proved far too strong, racing to a 4-0 lead by halftime with two goals from João Neves, an own goal by Tomás Avilés, and a strike from Achraf Hakimi. ..Continue Reading
Inter Miami showed more fight in the second half but couldn’t find a way past Gianluigi Donnarumma, as PSG comfortably saw out the win.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Messi delivered a standout performance against his former club, constantly threatening and finishing the match with the joint-most shots on target.
Now 38, the Argentine legend was clearly Inter Miami’s most dangerous player on the pitch, drawing praise for his effort and creativity.
French media outlets were impressed by his display, and former teammate Zlatan Ibrahimović also offered glowing remarks.
Zlatan suggested that Messi wasn’t to blame for the loss, pointing instead to the lack of support from his teammates, and added that the Argentine could still “light up the stadium” if he were playing for a more competitive side.
He said, per FootMercato: “Leo Messi didn’t lose, Inter Miami did! Messi is playing with statues, not teammates. He’s surrounded by players who run as if they’re carrying bags of cement!
“If he were in a real team, in any big team, you’d see the real lion. Messi plays only because he loves the game, because he can still do what 99% of players cannot! There are no coaches, no stars, not even players who understand how to move without the ball! This is not the Messi I know, if you put him in a real team, he’ll still set the stadium on fire!”
Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano also praised his compatriot. He told DAZN: “I think Leo played a great game with the few opportunities we had. We played a lot more on the counter-attack in the second half. I think that today, at 38 years old, it’s an honour to coach [Messi]. But against a PSG at this level, even for a Messi, it’s complicated.”
Messi and Inter Miami’s focus now turns to their domestic campaign. They are next in action on July 5 when they travel to Canada to take on the bottom team in the MLS Eastern Conference, CF Montréal.
