In a stunning display of dominance, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) obliterated Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich last month, clinching their first-ever UEFA Champions League title under the masterful guidance of coach Luis Enrique. This triumph capped a remarkable season for the Qatar-backed club, marking a pivotal shift in their strategy. Gone are the days of chasing superstar signings; instead, PSG’s success has been built on the foundation of a hungry, dynamic young squad molded by a brilliant tactician.
The turning point came with the departure of their former galacticos. Kylian Mbappé’s move to Real Madrid in 2024, following the exits of Neymar in 2023—the world’s most expensive signing when he joined in 2017—and Lionel Messi in the same summer that Luis Enrique took the helm, signaled a new era. PSG’s focus shifted from star power to cohesive teamwork, a move that paid dividends with their long-awaited European crown.
A Dream That Faded in Paris
When PSG swooped in to sign Lionel Messi in August 2021, the football world buzzed with anticipation. Barcelona’s financial woes had forced them to part with their talisman, and PSG believed the Argentine legend, then 34, would be the key to unlocking the elusive Champions League title. Messi shared that optimism at his unveiling, declaring, “My dream is to win another Champions League, and I think I am in the ideal place to have that chance.”
Yet, the dream never materialized. Neither under Mauricio Pochettino in the 2021/22 season nor Christophe Galtier in the following campaign could PSG advance beyond the Champions League’s last 16 with Messi in their ranks. Ironically, PSG had reached the final and semi-finals in the two seasons before his arrival, making Messi’s signing seem like the missing piece of the puzzle. Instead, the team regressed.
The burden of accommodating Messi, with his reported €30 million ($35.2 million) annual salary after tax, alongside Neymar and Mbappé, strained the squad’s balance. While the trio’s star power was undeniable, it came at the cost of team cohesion. Towards the end of his tenure, Messi faced jeers from some PSG fans who questioned his commitment, particularly in Ligue 1. As Vincent Duluc poignantly wrote in L’Equipe, “PSG have not been better than they were before because of him…and he seemed to have as much desire to play in Ligue 1 as he did to go to the dentist.”
Despite the criticism, Messi’s numbers were impressive: 32 goals and 35 assists in 75 appearances, along with two Ligue 1 titles. His presence also boosted PSG’s global brand value. Yet, his time in Paris is remembered more for flashes of brilliance than consistent dominance, overshadowed by his World Cup heroics for Argentina in Qatar in 2022.
A Bittersweet Reunion in Atlanta
Fast forward to June 2025, and Messi, now 38, is thriving in the twilight of his career with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. His recent free-kick masterpiece in a 2-1 victory over Porto secured Miami’s place in the Club World Cup knockout stage. Fate, however, has a knack for drama. On Sunday, in Atlanta’s iconic Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Messi and Inter Miami will face off against PSG in a last-16 clash that reopens old wounds.
For PSG fans, the matchup stings. L’Equipe’s Friday headline, “All is not forgiven,” captures the lingering bitterness from Messi’s underwhelming stint in Paris. The sense of failure still looms, a reminder of unfulfilled expectations despite his undeniable talent. Meanwhile, Inter Miami’s coach, Javier Mascherano, sees an opportunity. “It’s clear that for us, it’s better if he plays angry,” Mascherano told ESPN. “When he has something on his mind, he gives an extra effort.”
A Clash of Ambitions
For PSG, now a well-oiled machine under Luis Enrique, the Club World Cup represents a chance to add a global title to their European crown. Their youthful, cohesive squad is brimming with ambition, a stark contrast to the star-heavy teams of the past. A loss to Messi and Inter Miami, especially so soon after his 38th birthday, would be a bitter pill to swallow—a painful reminder of a chapter both sides would rather forget.
For Messi, this is more than a game. It’s a chance to prove a point, to show that the fire still burns brightly. The stage is set for a showdown steeped in history, rivalry, and unresolved tension. Will PSG’s new era prevail, or will Messi, driven by the ghosts of Paris, steal the spotlight once more? Sunday’s clash in Atlanta promises to be a spectacle that neither side will soon forget.