Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has issued a stark warning to his players ahead of Sunday’s Club World Cup round-of-16 encounter with Inter Miami: never take this veteran-lined side lightly, especially with Lionel Messi on the pitch.
Speaking at a press conference Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Enrique stressed that Miami’s quartet of former Barcelona stars—Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets—remain at the top of their game despite switching jerseys. “Anyone who relaxes for ten seconds in football already knows where they are,” Enrique said. “Busquets is still the same; Leo Messi is unique on the ball. Luis Suárez—you saw that goal he scored—Jordi Alba coming in deep, he’s still the same. If we can’t press them, it will be difficult to pressure them.”
Enrique, who coached all four during his Barcelona tenure (2014–17), recalled Messi’s brilliance up close. “I’ve seen Leo do things in training that belong to another breed—a true benchmark for the greatest player in history. If we don’t match their intensity, they’ll win, easy.”
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano, also an ex-Barcelona stalwart, didn’t flinch at being labeled “the weaker team.” He underlined a belief that PSG’s first UEFA Champions League victory (5-0 over Inter Milan) doesn’t make them invincible. “We know we’re underdogs,” Mascherano said. “That doesn’t mean you can kill us off beforehand. We’re going to fight. PSG have enormous hierarchy, but no team is perfect. We have to find ways to hurt them.”
Miami advanced from Group A after two draws and a win against FC Porto, finishing second behind Atlético Mineiro. Now they face a fresh test against a side brimming with stars and chasing a second Club World Cup title.
• Winner in Atlanta advances to face the victor of Bayern Munich vs. Flamengo in the quarterfinals. • For PSG, it’s a chance to add silverware to a season that already includes Ligue 1 and the Champions League. • For Miami, it’s an opportunity to prove MLS sides can compete with Europe’s elite.
Enrique hinted at a high-intensity pressing game to unsettle Messi & Co. “If we’re not able to take the ball away from them, things don’t look good,” he warned. Meanwhile, Mascherano stressed compact defensive shape and rapid transition to counterattack.
This marks the first competitive meeting between Mascherano and Enrique since their Barça days. Both men speak highly of each other’s future in coaching. “I saw in Javier a coach on the field—his leadership was obvious,” Enrique said. Mascherano in turn praised Enrique as “one of the greatest managers” he played under.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, set to host over 60,000 fans, has embraced the spectacle of Messi in Miami stripes. “Having Messi in Atlanta is a dream,” said local season-ticket holder Sarah Montgomery. “We’re here to see magic.”
Kick-off is set for 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the match televised live on Fox Sports 1 and streaming on the FOX Sports app.
As PSG aims to dispatch a star-studded MLS outfit and Miami seeks a historic upset, this clash promises high drama, tactical intrigue and a showcase of football’s global reach.
