Fans eagerly anticipated a showdown between Lionel Messi and his former team, PSG, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Georgia on 29/6. Inter Miami's roster also boasted several former Barca stars, including Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez.
However, PSG dominated the match, controlling 67% of possession and unleashing 19 shots, 9 of which were on target, compared to Inter Miami's 8 shots with 3 on target. The game was effectively decided in the first half, with PSG scoring four goals thanks to Joao Neves (two goals), an own goal from Tomas Aviles, and a goal from Achraf Hakimi.
"We neutralized them from the start," Enrique said. "Inter Miami tried to build from the back, but we defended well and quickly regained possession. If their quality players had two or three touches and received the ball, we would have had a lot of problems."
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Mascherano (left) and Enrique reunited before PSG's victory over Inter Miami at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia on 29/6/2025. Photo: AFP |
Mascherano (left) and Enrique reunited before PSG's victory over Inter Miami at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia on 29/6/2025. Photo: AFP
Beyond the result, the match held special significance for Enrique as he reunited with former colleagues. "A perfect match emotionally," the PSG coach said. "I greeted them before and after the game. One of them, Javier Mascherano, is no longer a player but a coach. The reunion was perfect."
From 2014 to 2017, Enrique managed Barca, coaching Messi, Suarez, Alba, Busquets, and Mascherano. Together, they won 9 titles, culminating in the treble in the 2014-2015 season.
The match also provided an opportunity for Messi to reunite with former teammates Ousmane Dembele (Barca), Hakimi, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, Presnel Kimpembe, and Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG). After the match, he exchanged jerseys with Dembele and Hakimi.
"It was a pleasure to see you again, Leo, the best player of all time," Dembele wrote on X, accompanied by a photo of the jersey exchange with Messi. "I hope you continue to make history with Inter Miami, as you have done in this Club World Cup."
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Dembele (left) exchanges jerseys with Messi after the PSG and Inter Miami match. Photo: X |
Dembele (left) exchanges jerseys with Messi after the PSG and Inter Miami match. Photo: X
Between 2017 and 2021, Dembele and Messi helped Barca secure four titles. However, the two stars also faced each other in the 2022 World Cup final, where Argentina defeated France 4-2 on penalties. From 2021 to 2023, Messi won three titles with PSG. In the summer of 2023, shortly after Messi moved to Inter Miami, Dembele joined PSG.
Dembele and Enrique recently made history with PSG, winning four titles in the 2024-2025 season. The French forward made a significant contribution with 33 goals.
Messi has also achieved success with Inter Miami. In the past two years, the Argentinian forward has helped the club win its first two titles: the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters' Shield. Inter Miami is also the only American club to reach the round of 16 of the Club World Cup, while Los Angeles FC and Seattle Sounders were both eliminated in the group stage.
Thanh Quy (according to Marca)
