Preview for Paris Saint-Germain v Inter Miami
Javier Mascherano is hoping Lionel Messi will use the memory of his miserable time at Paris Saint-Germain as fuel to knock the European champions out of the Club World Cup tomorrow.
Messi endured a largely unhappy two years at the Parc des Princes after leaving Barcelona.
He struggled to win over the notoriously hard-to-please PSG fans, failed to gel with Kylian Mbappe and felt his 2022 World Cup success with Argentina was not properly celebrated by the club.
Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 and has seemingly regained his love for the game as the figurehead for the sport in the United States.
He will get the chance to elevate his status further when Miami take on PSG in Atlanta with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
👋 Vendredi à Atlanta.
Nouvelle séance d’entraînement au programme, à deux jours du huitième de finale 🆚 l’Inter Miami.#FIFACWC I #PSGMIA pic.twitter.com/u5dFJgKBib
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) June 27, 2025
Miami boss Javier Mascherano told ESPN: “For us it is better when Messi plays angry. He’s one of those players who, when he has something stuck in his mind, gives a little extra.”
Tomorrow’s game will see a series of reunions, not least between Mascherano and Luis Enrique. The PSG boss coached Mascherano, as well as Messi and his Miami team-mates Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, at Barca.
Arguably their most memorable performance was the ‘remontada’ – when Barca came back from a 4-0 first-leg deficit against PSG in the Champions League to beat the Ligue 1 side 6-1 in the return to go through.
“Luis Enrique is my friend, beyond having had him as a coach for three years,” added Mascherano.
“We have a very beautiful relationship. It will be an honour to face one of the best coaches I have had in my career.”
PSG are the overwhelming favourites but showed they do have some frailties when losing 1-0 to Botafogo in the group stage.
Miami have arguably surpassed expectations in reaching the last 16 with draws against Al Ahly and Palmeiras either side of a win against Porto.
Team News for Paris Saint-Germain v Inter Miami
The big news for PSG is the potential return of star forward Ousmane Dembele. The France international suffered a quad injury playing for Les Bleus in the Nations League but has returned to training. It is unlikely he will slot straight back into the starting XI, meaning Luis Enrique could name a familiar side with the only change likely to see Bradley Barcola come in for Senny Mayulu.
Alba could miss out for Miami but Mascherano is likely to include his other three former Barca players.
Predicted line-ups for Paris Saint-Germain v Inter Miami
Paris Saint-Germain: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Kvaratskhelia, Doue, Barcola
Inter Miami: Ustari; Weigandt, Aviles, Falcon, Allen; Allende, Redondo, Busquets, Segovia; Messi, Suarez
Eyes on PSG 🔜⏳
Every match free on DAZN 📺 pic.twitter.com/yFbgT3WgBS
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) June 26, 2025
How to watch Paris Saint-Germain v Inter Miami: TV and Online Streams
Paris Saint-Germain versus Inter Miami kicks off at 5pm UK time tomorrow. You can watch it on DAZN or stream it on the bet365 app.
Stats for Paris Saint-Germain v Inter Miami
- Messi has faced PSG on 10 previous occasions, all during his time as a Barcelona player, recording six goals and an assist in those encounters
- Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise and Paris Saint-Germain’s Desire Doue completed the most dribbles in the group stage with 12. Messi was next on 10.
Prediction for Paris Saint-Germain v Inter Miami
Miami will hope the likes of Messi, Busquets and Suarez can rise to the occasion once more but it looks a very tough test for the Major League Soccer side.
PSG should be too good in every department and we think they will run out comfortable winners.
Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Inter Miami
