Inter Miami Eliminated from Club World Cup by PSG, Messi Outclassed in 4-0 Defeat
Inter Miami’s historic run in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup came to a crushing end in the Round of 16, as they were routed 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Messi’s former team. Despite Messi’s presence, along with high-profile signings like Luis Suarez, Miami had no answers to PSG’s relentless offensive onslaught.
Messi and Miami Outclassed by PSG
The clash between Lionel Messi and PSG at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was billed as a marquee event, with fans chanting Messi’s name even before the match began. However, the reality on the pitch quickly became clear: PSG, the reigning Champions League winners, were on a different level.
PSG dominated from the first whistle, with all four goals coming in the first half. Joao Neves opened the scoring in the 6th minute with a header off a Vitinha free-kick. Just minutes later, Neves added a second in the 39th minute, a well-taken shot from the center of the box. Before the break, Toto Aviles’s own goal and Achraf Hakimi’s strike in added time sealed Inter Miami’s fate, leaving the score 4-0 at halftime.
A Challenging Match for Inter Miami
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano acknowledged the gap in quality between his team and the European powerhouse, noting that the early goal against Miami made the match difficult. “We knew we could compete to a certain level, but PSG clearly showed that,” Mascherano said. The coach added that he was proud of the players for their effort but admitted that the difference in quality was undeniable.
Messi, who only touched the ball 14 times in the first half, appeared frustrated as he struggled to influence the game. Miami’s attack, despite featuring some of the most renowned names in football, failed to break through PSG’s tight defense and high press.
A More Competitive Second Half
While the first half was dominated by PSG, Inter Miami showed more fight in the second. Messi created chances for Luis Suarez, but the striker couldn’t convert. Tadeo Allende also had an opportunity but missed the target. Despite showing some improvement, the scoreline remained unchanged, and PSG held onto their dominant lead.
Looking Ahead to the Future
Despite the loss, David Beckham and Jorge Mas, co-owners of Inter Miami, expressed pride in their team’s performance. “It’s a big moment to be playing against a team that is, in my opinion, the best team in the world,” Beckham said before the match. “But anything is possible.” After the game, Beckham shared his pride in the team’s achievements on social media, noting that their journey in the Club World Cup had come to an end but that they had shown the world what Miami is capable of.
Mascherano also spoke to the importance of learning from the experience. “Playing against opponents of that caliber is different from what we are used to in MLS and Concacaf,” he said. “We should use this as a learning experience for the future.”
Inter Miami’s next challenge will be in MLS action, as they travel to face FC Montreal on Saturday.
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