PSG punched their ticket to the knockout stage of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with a 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders on Monday at Lumen Field, finishing atop their group. The result sets up a marquee matchup against Inter Miami, led by former PSG star Lionel Messi.
Inter Miami looked set to win Group A after taking a 2-0 lead against Palmeiras, but the Brazilian side stormed back with two second-half goals to earn a draw and secure first place. That left Inter Miami in second and set the stage for a high-profile showdown with PSG in the next round.
Messi played for PSG from 2021 to 2023 after leaving FC Barcelona in a stunning move. During his time in Paris, he formed a high-powered front line with Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappé. Despite the firepower, PSG couldn’t break through in Europe, falling in the Champions League Round of 16 to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
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Ahead of the match on Sunday, Lucas Hernandez spoke with the media and shared the mindset the squad has to face the Argentine.
“He has been a football icon for many years, and that will continue. He’s an excellent player,” Hernandez said (h/t Le10Sport). “He’ll be on the other side, but we’re going to do everything we can to win. If we keep working like we do in every training session, we hope to reach the quarterfinals.
“We’re approaching this match calmly—it’s just another game for us. Messi will just be one of the players on the opposing team. Of course, he’s a great player, but it won’t change anything in our preparation.”
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