Lionel Messi brutally trolled during nightmare PSG reunion at Club World Cup
Lionel Messi was reunited with his former side Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Club World Cup, but the game didn't go to plan for Inter Miami in Atlanta
Lionel Messi suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of his former employers as Paris Saint-Germain put Inter Miami to the sword at the Club World Cup. PSG showed no mercy to their former star player, racing into a 4-0 lead at half-time in Atlanta.
Messi left PSG in 2023 after two years, having been left unconvinced they could compete for the top prizes in Europe. They have since won the Champions League under his former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, shedding their image an expensively-assembled but underperforming side.
Enrique managed Miami's star quartet of Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets at Barcelona and saw all four line up against PSG on Sunday. But Miami were no match for the Champions League winners, with Joao Neves scoring twice and Achraf Hakimi once as an own goal from Tomas Aviles made it 4-0 at the break.
Messi is now 38 years old an in the twilight of his career and his age was made plain by a banner being held by some particularly mean Atlanta fans in the stands. It showed the Argentine great with a bald head, a grey beard and missing teeth - and the comments on social media weren't much kinder.
"This match is a humiliation ritual for Messi," one fan wrote on X. "Messi is just walking around," another complained, while others shared clips of PSG stars Nuno Mendes and Neves brushing him off the ball.
"Looks like PSG came with a point to prove - payback for all that trash talk when he left the club. This one's personal!" a third supporter noted.
On the other hand, others shared a clip of Messi producing a magical pass for Suarez, which he managed not to score from to deny the playmaker a stunning assist.
Speaking in the build-up to the match, PSG boss Enrique paid tribute to Messi and made it clear that his players couldn't take victory for granted.
"Anyone who relaxes for 10 seconds in football already knows where they are. It's not like there's no doubt they have the level and the quality, because they haven't lost that," he said.
"I've seen all three of Inter Miami's games and some previous ones, and they have that quality. If we're not able to press them, it will be difficult to pressure them," Luis Enrique told reporters on Saturday.
"If we're not able to take the ball away from them, things don't look good because Busquets is still the same; Leo Messi is unique on the ball. Luis Suárez, you saw the last goal he scored, what a skill for managing, Jordi Alba coming in deep, he's still the same.
"We all know Leo's pass to Jordi in the world of football, but it happens again and continues to happen every game, and if they have a coach like Mascherano, it's clear that either we give a great performance and maintain the necessary level of intensity, or they'll win the game, easy, there's no doubt about that."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
29 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Lightning at the Club World Cup, U21 glory and the Women's Euros
Rate, review, and share on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Audioboom, Mixcloud, Acast and Stitcher, and join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and email. On the podcast today, the panel discusses the absurd scenes in Charlotte as Chelsea's Club World Cup clash with Benfica was delayed nearly two hours due to lightning, before going to extra time and finishing more than four hours after it kicked off. Enzo Maresca declared 'it's not football', while Jürgen Klopp called the competition 'pointless'. The panel considers the implications of this ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Elsewhere, Chelsea carry on business as usual – signing João Pedro and Jamie Gittens as their squad of wingers grows ever larger. PSG dismantle Messi's Inter Miami, Bayern and Kane see off Flamengo, and Manchester City hit five past Juventus. Plus: England Under-21s win the Euros again – is Lee Carsley the future? Sunderland splash out, Pogba sheds tears, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin is up for grabs? Also, the Women's Euros kick off this week, your questions answered, and a heatwave hits Seb's sheep. Support the Guardian here. You can also find Football Weekly on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Callum Osmand reveals Celtic hero sold transfer move as striker tells fans exactly what to expect
The striker has made the move to Parkhead from EPL outfit Fulham on a four-year deal Callum Osmand has revealed Matt O'Riley's secret agent role in his move to Celtic. The striker arrived at the Scottish champions on a four-year deal after swapping English Premier League outfit Fulham for a crack at Champions League football at Parkhead. Brendan Rodgers has made him signing number four of the window having already brought back Kieran Tierney on a pre-contract from Arsenal, Ross Doohan to beef up his options between the sticks after allowing Scott Bain to move on and Swede Benjamin Nygren. Osmand revealed new boss Rodgers has set out a clear pathway for him in Glasgow's east end and it is a journey he can't wait to get started on. But it was former Celtic star O'Riley - now back in England with Brighton - dished out advice to the 19-year-old while also giving both the club and fans big licks. Osmand told Celtic TV: 'Osmand is the latest in a line of Fulham academy men to pull on the hoops. He follows in the footsteps of a trio of fans' favourites in the shape of Moussa Dembele, Patrick Roberts and O'Riley. He said: "Fulham has a brilliant academy set up. The coaches are top as well. It's a credit to them really how they bring up players to get them ready for senior football. "Obviously, there has been notable names. Moussa, Matt. I've also spoken to Matt [O'Riley] on the phone, so he has given me advice. "He was telling me about how big the club is, how amazing the fans are and it's a new life really. So excited is definitely the word for me. "It feels unbelievable to be here and I am so happy to be here. It is a big step for me, and I am excited to get going. "It's a massive move and I can't wait to step out at Celtic Park in front of all the fans. Really excited to get going. 'When I spoke to the manager, he was really positive. The plan and pathway he has set out for the club is top, so it's exciting with the pathway he has for me. 'He has set out what he wants from me, and it is all really positive, so I can't wait to get going now." Offering the Celtic fans an insight to his playing style, he continued: "I am more of a quick striker. Not your classic like massive hold up sort of player. I am more mobile and I like to bring excitement to the team. Runs in behind and work rate. "You can do all the talking here but if you can't do it on the pitch it doesn't mean anything. So I just can't wait to get out there and have the boots on and play" Boss Rodgers added: 'We are really pleased to bring Callum to Celtic. He is a highly-rated, talented young player. 'He has some real attributes. He's a quick and powerful striker and I'm really looking forward to working with him. I'm sure he can be really successful with us.'
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Unpublished Lionel Messi interview comes to light – 'I didn't talk to them'
A previously unpublished interview with Lionel Messi dated from 2003 has finally seen the light of day, and the footballing legend made some interesting comments about his Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi has explained that he "didn't really speak to" his Barcelona team-mates during his early days at Camp Nou. The Argentinian superstar spent 21 years of his career with Barca between 2000 and 2021, after making the move from Newell's Old Boys in his youth. It was there that he won 10 La Liga titles, 14 domestic trophies, four Champions Leagues and seven Ballon d'Ors due to his remarkable performances. With 672 goals in 778 appearances, the 38-year-old absolutely demolished the club's top goalscorer record of 226, which was set by Cesar Rodriguez back in 1955. And while Messi's story with Barcelona is one that may never be replicated, it could have played out incredibly differently should fate have had other plans. That's because a previously unpublished interview with the Rosario-born forward from 2003 recently emerged, with Messi explaining at the time that he struggled to forge the camaraderie with team-mates that was so instrumental to his success under the Spanish sun during his early days with Barcelona. Speaking with Julian Bricco more than two decades ago in an interview which has since been recovered by El Grafico, Messi explained that a language barrier was particularly problematic during his breakthrough era. He said: "At first, it was a bit difficult with my new team-mates; they all spoke Catalan. "I didn't really talk to them, and I didn't adapt well at first, but then they opened up and talked to me. The truth is, they treated me very well, and thanks to them, I'm getting along very well with everyone today." Elsewhere, Messi also noted at the time that he also struggled to adapt to the pace of La Liga after initially plying his trade with the youth of the Argentine Primera Division. He added: "It all happened quickly. "Luckily, it went well for me, and I got used to it. Things are going well for me. At first, it was a bit difficult. Football is faster, with more touches. I think because I was younger, 14, I adapted quickly." Messi made his debut with the Barcelona first team at the age of just 16 in November 2003 in a mid-season friendly against Jose Mourinho's Porto, before making his La Liga debut the following October in a 1-0 win over Espanyol. And while he only had eight minutes to show the world what he could do after entering the fray as a substitute for game-winner Deco in the 82nd minute, he made the most of the opportunity to show his potential and patented skills. Speaking of his debut, Messi added: "No one thought that, being so young, I would make my debut in the First Division. It was a bit strange because it's not common there either to debut so quickly. Over there, they debut at 19 or 20, and I was 16. It was a surprise for everyone." Thankfully, Messi was in good company for his debut, with the likes of Victor Valdes, Carles Puyol, Xavi, Ronaldinho and Andres Iniesta all playing their part on the day to secure victory for the Catalan giants. After an incredible tenure in Barcelona, Messi made the switch to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 - spending two years in the French capital before signing for Inter Miami in 2023, the club where he continues to ply his trade today. Messi was a major part in the Floridians' plans for the Club World Cup this summer, scoring one goal in four games during the USA-based tournament and continuing to shine bright. However, Miami's participation in the tournament came to a close on Sunday, when they were knocked out by his old club PSG in the round of 16 with a 4-0 loss. In conversation with DSports after the defeat, Messi said: "The match was what was expected. They're a great team, winners of the last Champions League, and they're in really good shape. "It was the match we expected. We tried to do our best, and I think we left a good impression at the Club World Cup." DAZN has the rights to the full competition in the UK and the only way football fans can watch every game of the tournament free is by signing up here as part of a DAZN Freemium subscription.
