AFCON 2025
Paris Saint‑Germain overwhelmed Inter Miami with a 4‑0 victory in the Club World Cup Round of 16 on June 29, cruising into the quarter-finals in Atlanta.
A brace from João Neves, an own goal by Tomás Avilés, and a strike by Achraf Hakimi all came in the first half, effectively deciding the match long before full-time.
Messi, along with former Barcelona teammates Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, found little space as PSG’s press left them largely peripheral to the action. The defeat also marked an end to Messi’s 16‑year unbeaten run in Club World Cup matches.
Despite the result on the pitch, the post-match scene offered a poignant moment of respect. Ousmane Dembélé, brought on late from the bench, sought out Messi in the tunnel, embracing his former Barcelona teammate in a warm reunion.
Dembele shared a heartfelt message alongside a photo of the two on Instagram. “Great to see you again, @leomessi — the greatest of all time… Hopefully you keep making history with Inter Miami like you did in this Club World Cup,” he wrote.
Asked about the reunion in the mixed zone, Dembele said: “Very well. I’m glad to have seen them — Messi, Jordi Alba, (Luis) Suarez, (Sergio) Busquets, Mascherano, and even Pepe, whom I know. So it’s a pleasure to see them and meet again.”
PSG now awaits the winner of the Bayern Munich vs. Flamengo fixture in the quarter-finals, while Miami’s journey in the tournament concludes, with focus now shifting back to their domestic campaign.
