Lionel Messi will face PSG within the round of 16 on the Club World Cup, with tensions working excessive after his criticism of existence in Paris.
Lionel Messi will face Paris Saint-Germain within the round of 16 on the Club World Cup, with tensions working excessive after his criticism of existence in Paris.
Paris Saint-Germain booked their web web voice within the supreme 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup with a 2-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Monday (23rd June). The consequence secured high inform within the community for PSG and space up a relate conflict against Messi’s Inter Miami within the following round.
The tie marks a ancient milestone for the Argentine, as this could well be the necessary time he faces one of his traditional golf equipment. The shape-as a lot as the stumble upon is already heating up, with tensions and provocative remarks exchanged between both camps.
PSG and Messi: From promising partnership to fractured relationship
Messi spent two seasons at PSG between 2021 and 2023, following his emotional and surprising departure from Barcelona. In Paris, he fashioned a celebrity-studded attacking trio alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, however his time on the club used to be overshadowed by underwhelming leads to the Champions League.
Since his transfer to Fundamental League Soccer, Messi has been vocal about his disappointment with existence within the French capital. “I wasn’t relaxed,” he admitted in an interview before signing for Inter Miami. “I struggled to adapt to every single day existence, to training, to the matches.”
The Argentine’s remarks brought on a wave of criticism in France, with traditional player and now pundit Jerome Rothen among basically the most outspoken. Speaking on RMC Sport, Rothen pushed apart Messi’s complaints.
“Everyone is open to criticism. Even more so when you made a fool of the world at Paris Saint-Germain for two years, even though it was PSG that saved you. First, your salary, because Barcelona kicked you out since they could no longer pay you, and because no club in Europe would allow you to earn so much, while remaining at the highest level to win the World Cup. We clearly understand that this is why you came to Paris.
“Why complain after the fact? He was treated with respect, lived in a 500-square-metre mansion in Neuilly, his children were in a private school, he had total protection. What kind of hardship did he face in Paris?” Rothen questioned.
“Why invent you convey that they expelled you and that the club did not respect you? Nonetheless did you respect the opposite folks right here? He did not respect somebody, least of the total French,” the commentator continued.
Messi’s fiery reunion with PSG awaits
The last 16 clash between PSG and Inter Miami is scheduled for Sunday (29th June) at 5pm UK time at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
It all started with this freekick. The rest is history. ?? The @LeaguesCup is back in July. Buy your tickets here: https://t.co/k9hSLvKtNq pic.twitter.com/7W05NyA8N9
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) June 25, 2025
Rothen is not the only one weighing in on Messi’s PSG legacy. Achraf Hakimi, the Argentine’s former teammate in Paris, insisted their friendship will be set aside once the match begins.
Meanwhile, Jordi Alba, a close friend of Messi from their Barcelona days and now a teammate at Inter Miami, reignited the debate, stating that while Messi’s love for Barcelona is unquestionable, the same cannot be said for PSG.
This article was originally published on Trivela.
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