After Inter Miami’s tough loss to PSG, the MLS side was eliminated from the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. While the performance disappointed many, the team still made history as the U.S. club that advanced the farthest, defeating European giant FC Porto and holding their own against one of the tournament’s top contenders, Palmeiras. Following the elimination, Lionel Messi broke his silence with a message to fans on social media.
“Today the Club World Cup comes to an end for us with a defeat against the current Champions League champion, where there are people I appreciate and I was happy to see again. We leave with the pride of having achieved our goal of getting into the top 16 of the tournament. Now we have to focus on the MLS and everything that is to come,” Lionel Messi posted, via Instagram.
Heading into the tournament, few analysts or fans predicted Inter Miami would deliver such a composed and competitive performance. The club, still chasing its first MLS Cup, arrived with modest expectations. Yet they navigated the group stage unbeaten, before running into Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning UEFA Champions League winners and arguably the most in-form team in the world.
What made Inter Miami’s campaign even more impressive was their lack of depth. Head coach Javier Mascherano entered the tournament without any marquee signings, relying almost entirely on his existing core; that continuity came at a cost.
Mascherano made just two substitutions in their final match, one of them forced by injury, underscoring how limited his options were. Still, the squad punched above their weight, advancing ahead of continental heavyweights like River Plate, Boca Juniors, Porto, and Atletico Madrid, all eliminated in the group stage.
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi delivers bold analysis after PSG ends their Club World Cup run
While Lionel Messi was proud of Inter Miami’s performance at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, that did not stop him from offering a clear-eyed view of the game’s outcome. In post-match interviews, he broke down the team’s defeat. “We are in another league, another level and we can’t fight. Today PSG are undoubtedly the best team in the world. It was normal for what happened today to happen,” he said.
Not only did Messi speak out, but head coach Javier Mascherano also echoed that view. “Clearly you could see the difference between the two teams, but I’m very proud of my players… Beyond the differences we tried to play, in every match of the Club World Cup we tried to show what we could do, but the difference is what it is… We are probably facing the best team in the world, with a great coach,” he stated.
Recognizing the gap between the teams does not mean there’s no pride in what Inter Miami achieved. In fact, despite the clear advantage in quality and depth on PSG’s side, Miami competed with determination. They maintained their identity throughout the tournament.
One of the brightest points came from their strong defensive efforts, with Maxi Falcon leading the back-side. Moreover, Tadeo Allende stood out as a key offensive figure, emerging as the team’s breakout star behind Messi, which promises a bright future for the team.