KLIK SAJA - Lionel Messi is set for a highly anticipated reunion with his former club, Paris Saint-Germain, in the knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup after Inter Miami pulled off a surprising 2-2 draw against Brazilian giants Palmeiras on Tuesday to secure a spot in the last 16.
Miami were on track to top Group A, with goals from Tadeo Allende and Luis Suarez on either side of halftime giving the Herons a commanding lead in front of over 60,000 fans at Hard Rock Stadium heading into the final minutes.
However, Javier Mascherano’s side let their two-goal cushion slip in dramatic fashion. Late strikes from Paulinho in the 80th minute and Mauricio in the 87th salvaged a point for Palmeiras.
With the draw, Inter Miami made history as the first MLS team to avoid defeat against a CONMEBOL opponent since D.C. United drew with Chilean side Universidad Católica in the 2005 Copa Sudamericana.
While the result allowed Palmeiras to clinch top spot in Group A, Inter Miami had to settle for second place. That sets up a thrilling last-16 showdown between Messi’s current side and his former club, PSG.
Paris Saint-Germain secured a 2-0 win over Seattle Sounders in their final Group B match on Monday, finishing level on points with Botafogo and Atletico Madrid.
Thanks to a superior goal difference, the French champions emerged as group winners.
Inter Miami qualified for the Club World Cup as the host nation’s representative after winning the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield.
Entering a group that included continental heavyweights Palmeiras (Brazil), Porto (Portugal), and perennial African champions Al Ahly (Egypt), they were seen as outsiders to progress.
Yet the team defied expectations, going unbeaten in the group stage and collecting five points—including a memorable 2-1 comeback win over Porto on Matchday 2, when Messi scored a sensational second-half free-kick.
Messi continues to preserve his extraordinary record of never being eliminated in the group stage of any official tournament—whether at club or international level.
Across his 21-year career, the teams he has represented have advanced in all 33 group stages he's participated in.
Now, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion is preparing for an emotional encounter—facing one of his former clubs for the first time—as Inter Miami take on reigning European champions PSG in the round of 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta this Sunday.
Messi joined Inter Miami from PSG on a free transfer in the summer of 2023 after spending two seasons at the Parc des Princes, a stint he later admitted he “didn’t enjoy.”
