Although they couldn't win, Lionel Messi (38, Inter Miami) had a pleasant reunion with his former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) teammates on the day of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 match.

Inter Miami lost 0-4 against PSG in the tournament's Round of 16 match held on the 30th (Korea time) at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

PSG scored the opening goal just six minutes into the match. Neves finished a free kick taken by Vitinha with a header.

Building on the momentum, PSG added a second goal in the 39th minute of the first half. Neves, who received a pass from Fabian Ruiz, successfully scored to announce his multi-goal achievement. They also gained fortune with an own goal in the 44th minute.

Adding to the score, Achraf Hakimi's goal in first-half stoppage time allowed PSG to wrap up the first half leading 4-0.

Inter Miami did not attempt a single shot throughout the first half. Messi recorded two shots on target in the second half, but none were successful. Notably, a header attempted from straight on in the penalty area at the 35th minute was denied by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Lee Kang-in, who substituted in the 25th minute of the second half, attempted a left-footed shot in stoppage time, but it was blocked by the defensive wall. Although he did not achieve any attacking points, he succeeded in all 19 passes with a 100% passing accuracy.

PSG is Messi's 'former workplace.' This match must have felt significant to him.

After spending 20 years in Barcelona, Spain, Messi left the team due to financial issues and played for PSG wearing their jersey from the summer of 2021 for two seasons. He struggled to adapt in his first season, finishing with six league goals, but he rebounded in the 2022-2023 season, scoring 16 goals and providing 16 assists in the league.

Messi appeared in a total of 75 matches for PSG, scoring 32 goals and providing 35 assists. He experienced victories in Ligue 1 twice and the French Super Cup once. However, he was unable to reach the pinnacle in the UEFA Champions League. After his contract expired in 2023, he transferred to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS).

After the match, French media 'Le Parisien' reported, "(When Messi played at PSG) he was quite popular in the locker room," and noted, "On this day, Messi exchanged jerseys with Achraf Hakimi and chatted with several former teammates on the field. He checked in on PSG players in the hallways of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Even after Inter Miami lost 0-4 to PSG in the Club World Cup Round of 16, hugs and handshakes followed."

PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé, who met Messi, posted on his social media account, "It was great to see Messi again. He is indeed the best. I hope he continues to write history in Miami, just like he did in this Club World Cup."

Messi also had a brief conversation with former coach Luis Enrique. They won the Champions League together during their time at Barcelona in 2015.

Coach Enrique told reporters, "It was an emotional match, and it was perfect to meet former Barcelona players both in the first and second halves."

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