In a tournament filled with elite talent and storied clubs, one side has made an overwhelming impression on both rivals and legends alike. As the dust settled following a high-profile clash in the FIFA Club World Cup, a bold declaration was made by none other than Lionel Messi himself—one that caught the soccer world by surprise.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup clash between Inter Miami and a European powerhouse was billed as a reunion of icons, with Messi facing a club and teammates from his past. Set in front of over 65,000 spectators at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the occasion carried the air of nostalgia. But any emotional sentiment quickly gave way to a ruthless display of dominance.
The reigning European champions overwhelmed Inter Miami with a stunning 4-0 victory, securing their place in the quarterfinals. Goals came early and in waves. João Neves opened the scoring before adding a second, while Tomas Aviles scored an unfortunate own goal and Achraf Hakimi capitalized on a rebound to seal the rout.
Despite the harsh scoreline, Inter Miami showed more resilience in the second half, with Lionel Messi orchestrating their attacks, linking up with Luis Suarez, and coming close to scoring himself. Yet, it wasn’t enough to shift the balance of power.
The revelation: Messi’s surprise choice
Following the defeat, Lionel Messi was asked to weigh in on the current state of the global soccer elite. His answer left no room for doubt. “PSG is the best team in the world, without a doubt,” he declared. “They beat Inter in the Champions League final 4 or 5-0, I don’t remember exactly. Today’s result is normal, we’re not playing at the same level.”
This statement from Messi, who spent two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, was a nod to their dominant 2024–25 campaign. The French side clinched a historic treble, winning Ligue 1, the French Cup, and the UEFA Champions League. The crowning moment came in their 5-0 demolition of Inter in the Champions League final—the widest margin in the competition’s storied history.
Ironically, PSG’s greatest success arrived after moving on from its previous attacking trident of Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe. Under Luis Enrique, the club restructured, shifting focus from individual brilliance to collective strength. The transformation paid off.
