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2w ago

Messi to Face Former Club PSG in Club World Cup Round of 16

Revealed pay topping $20 million, together with fitness doubts, spotlights his leadership as Inter Miami challenges the European champions

Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Round of 16 - Paris St Germain v Inter Miami CF - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - June 29, 2025 Inter Miami CF's Lionel Messi in action with Paris St Germain's Willian Pacho REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
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Overview

  • Lionel Messi is set to start for Inter Miami against PSG on June 29 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, marking his first competitive reunion with his former club
  • Major League Soccer Players Association data show his guaranteed annual compensation at Inter Miami is $20.45 million, a figure that surpasses the payrolls of most MLS teams
  • Inter Miami advanced as Group A runner-up with five points after beating Porto and drawing with Al Ahly and Palmeiras, while PSG topped Group B to reach the last 16
  • Coach Javier Mascherano expects Messi to lead from kickoff despite playing every minute of Miami’s group matches and lingering questions over his match fitness
  • The newly expanded 32-team Club World Cup, hosted in the U.S. with a $1 billion prize pool, offers Inter Miami an opportunity to upset Europe’s reigning champions