PSG will take on Inter Miami at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where a special reunion will take place between coach Luis Enrique and four of his former Barcelona players: Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
On the other side of the battle line, coach Javier Mascherano, who also played under Enrique, is now leading Inter Miami.
However, the biggest focus will be on Lionel Messi, who will be facing his former club in a competitive match for the first time in his career. And no one knows the threat Messi poses better than Luis Enrique.
“Messi is the greatest player in history, without a doubt,” the PSG coach said at a press conference. “If we lose the ball, it’s bad. Busquets is still in control of the midfield. Suárez scored a great goal last time. Alba still has those silent but deadly combinations. And Messi – the same Messi we knew at Barcelona.”
The Spanish coach especially warned: “Whoever is complacent for 10 seconds will pay the price. They have never lost their class.”
Reunion of old Barca players
Coach Luis Enrique worked with Messi, Suárez, Alba, Busquets and Mascherano at Barcelona in 2014–2017 – the peak period with the treble in the 2014–15 season.
“I have seen Messi do extraordinary things in hundreds of training sessions. No one else can make complex things look simple like him. A player from another planet,” Enrique shared.
Mascherano himself could not hide his emotions when facing his old teacher for the first time. “Luis Enrique is one of the greatest coaches I have ever worked with. He was the one who convinced me to stay at Barca. Now it is an honor to face him.”
In addition to the professional factor, the match also contained many emotions for Messi when he reunited with PSG, the team he played for for two seasons (2021–2023).
Despite contributing to winning two Ligue 1 championships, Messi still does not receive recognition from the leadership and fans of the French capital team.
“I am the only player who was not honoured by the club after winning the World Cup,” Messi once said. He was criticized, booed and suspended for his unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia.
The relationship has been so broken that recently, L'Équipe published a photo of Messi on the cover with the cold caption: "Not everything is forgiven."
Coach Mascherano believes that what is still lingering will help Messi explode: "Messi playing in a state of anger is the best thing that can happen to us. He always plays best when he has something to prove."
The Underdog's Dream
This match is a real test for Inter Miami, who surprised everyone by qualifying from the 2025 Club World Cup group stage with 1 win and 2 draws. If they had kept their 2-0 lead against Palmeiras, they would have avoided PSG. But now, the current European champions are in front of them.
“I think PSG are the best team in the world right now,” said Jordi Alba. “But why not dream? Football is 90 minutes, and anything can happen.”
Coach Mascherano agreed: “They are stronger, but the great thing about football is that every team has a chance – even the underdogs.”
Not only is it a clash of two styles of football, it is also the first time Messi has entered the knockout round as an underdog.
But with Luis Enrique's understanding, unforgettable memories at PSG and the desire to prove himself, Messi and Inter Miami can absolutely create a magical night.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/hlv-luis-enrique-tai-ngo-messi-gap-thien-tai-khong-duoc-phep-chop-mat-147385.html
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