Post by : Jyoti Gupta

Photo:AFP

Lionel Messi and his team Inter Miami are getting ready for a big match against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Club World Cup. This game is special because Messi used to play for PSG, but he didn’t enjoy his time there.

Inter Miami surprised everyone by making it to this stage. They beat Porto and drew with Palmeiras and Al Ahly. Now, they will play PSG, who are the champions of Europe.

Messi’s coach, Javier Mascherano, hopes Messi will use his past feelings from PSG to give his best in the game. Mascherano said that Messi plays even better when he has something to prove.

However, the coach also said the game won’t feel as emotional as it would if it were in Europe, because it’s happening in Atlanta, USA. He knows they have to play a perfect game to beat PSG.

Messi once said that his two years at PSG were very hard. He didn’t enjoy the training, the games, or life in Paris.

The PSG team is now very different, with coach Luis Enrique in charge. Many Inter Miami players know Enrique well because they played under him at Barcelona — Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and even Mascherano.

Alba called Enrique a great coach and a great person. He said he’s excited to see him again but will focus on trying to win during the match. Suarez also praised Enrique and said he helped shape him as a player.

Mascherano, now a coach, said he’s still close friends with Enrique and his family. But on game day, he hopes luck is on Miami’s side. He called it a special opportunity to face someone he respects so much.