Messi during Inter Miami's loss to PSG in the round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on 29/6/2025 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Photo: Reuters

Head bowed, hands on hips, Messi reflected each time PSG scored. Four goals in the first half, but the cameras didn't always capture the Argentine star's disappointment.

This was a rare, devastating loss in Messi's career. He isn't accustomed to such crushing defeats. However, it was an inevitable reality, foreseeable given that Messi alone—despite his talent and effort—couldn't defy time or the "hurricane" that is PSG.

Only one slow-motion replay aired in the first half. During those 45 minutes, Messi and Inter Miami were overwhelmed by PSG's dynamic pressing and intricate passing plays orchestrated by their former coach, Luis Enrique. The reigning European champions showed no mercy to Messi and his teammates.

From the start, PSG employed their familiar tactic—as seen in the Champions League final against Inter Milan—by deliberately playing the ball out wide to the opponent's side of the field. This signaled their intent to suffocate Miami with their relentless pressing.

All four of PSG's first-half goals showcased their signature attacking style from their recent treble-winning season. The opening goal, scored by Joao Neves exploiting a blind spot at the edge of Miami's defense, exemplified PSG's strategy on free kicks near the touchline. Neves had scored similarly against Arsenal in the previous Champions League season.

Neves' second goal originated from PSG's aggressive pressing high up the pitch, forcing an error from Sergio Busquets, who lost possession. The third goal, an own goal by young defender Tomas Aviles, resulted from PSG's overwhelming numbers on the wing. Achraf Hakimi freely combined with Desire Doue against an aging Jordi Alba, with midfielder Fabian Ruiz also present in the box, as is typical for him.

Hakimi's final goal mirrored his strikes against Aston Villa and Inter Milan – a right-back advancing and joining the attack through the central channel.

In the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Miami failed to register a single shot, completing only 25 passes in the opponent's half. PSG, in contrast, dominated with 257 passes and 10 shots.

Messi and his teammates' helplessness was evident as the directors showed only one replay of the number 10: a close-up of his saddened face and furrowed brow after Miami's third goal.

Six slow-motion replays were shown in the second half. With a 4-0 lead, PSG eased off, allowing Javier Mascherano's team to salvage some pride. As the Argentine coach stated post-match, "My message to the players after the first half was that we had to accept reality. You know you won't have many chances when the score is 4-0. We didn't expect to overturn the result, but it was important to leave a good impression on the fans. The players gave their all in the second half, just like we usually do in the MLS."

Having chased shadows throughout the first half, Messi and his teammates found more opportunities in the second, with their shot count almost matching PSG's. From the 52nd to the 53rd minute, three slow-motion replays focused solely on Messi, showcasing two earlier plays from the 49th and 50th minutes.

The 49th-minute play evoked memories of Messi's prime at Barcelona: Alba, on the wing, delivered a pass into the center for Messi, who then executed a delicate one-touch pass to release Suarez towards the goal. However, the Uruguayan striker's control faltered, allowing goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to collect the ball.

The 50th minute featured Messi's solo effort to evade Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, and Vitinha. He bypassed two before stumbling. One replay captured the dribble, another showed his face buried in the turf in frustration.

Around the same time, Miami registered their first shot of the match, stemming from an exchange between Messi and Alba, culminating in a shot deflected off a defender and out for a corner kick. This play wasn't replayed, as the corner was taken immediately afterward.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (green) embraces Messi after the match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta. Photo: Reuters

In the 63rd minute, Messi delivered Miami's first shot on target. Following a scramble at the edge of the penalty area, he surged forward, accelerating at age 38, into the box for a left-footed shot. Donnarumma saved easily. This was the fifth slow-motion replay.

In the 78th minute, the Alba-Messi-Suarez triangle reappeared. Alba, from the left wing, fed the ball to Messi in the center, who again executed a one-touch forward pass for Suarez to run onto. A replica of the 49th-minute play. At 38, Suarez couldn't outmuscle center-back Lucas Beraldo. Nonetheless, this was the sixth replay featuring Messi.

Finally, the seventh replay captured a moment that nearly brought the 60,000 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to their feet. Alba once again found Messi in familiar fashion, and despite his 1.70 m height, Messi leaped to meet the ball inside PSG's penalty area. His header forced Donnarumma into his first and only save of the match.

In a match where Miami were largely outplayed, their counter-attacks, and any instance of Messi possessing the ball, became precious commodities. Miami fans eagerly awaited these moments, hoping for a touch of his "magic."

The atmosphere intensified in the 87th minute when Suarez was fouled just outside PSG's penalty area. Everyone knew this was Messi's chance from a free kick. Throughout the match, the cameras hadn't focused on Messi so closely for so long. However, his shot struck the wall. There were no more slow-motion replays.

The former Barcelona quartet—Messi, Suarez, Busquets, and Alba—reunited with their former coach Enrique, each experiencing the full spectrum of emotions in the 4-0 defeat to PSG: from turnovers leading to goals, to flashes of combination play creating chances, and ultimately, to helplessness.

For Messi, those seven slow-motion replays perhaps suffice to tell the story of his final match in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Hoang Thong