Club World Cup: PSG to face Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the round of 16

PSG players now know their fate. A few hours after securing first place in their group, which means qualification for the last 16 of the Club World Cup , thanks to their victory against Seattle (2-0) , the Parisians learned on the plane taking them to Atlanta the identity of their opponent in the next round.

The European champions will be treated to a unique and unusual clash in more ways than one against Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, who finished second in their group after being held to a 2-2 draw by Brazilian side Palmeiras on Monday night. The match will take place on Sunday, June 29 (6 p.m., noon local time) on the pitch at the magnificent Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

This round of 16 match between PSG and the American team will give rise to a highly anticipated reunion between the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and the capital club, whose jersey he wore for two seasons, from 2021 to 2023. The Argentinian will also cross paths with his former coach Luis Enrique, whom he worked alongside between 2014 and 2017 at FC Barcelona and with whom he won a Champions League. Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba, former Barça players, are also in the Miami squad, while Javier Mascherano is the coach.

Asked about this possible clash, Gianluigi Donnarumma was rather attracted by this match and the fact of reuniting with his former partner. "I lived two years here (at PSG) with him, two fantastic years where we played with the greatest player in the world. But now I hope we win because he has already won a lot of titles. I hope we win and make it to the end," explained the Italian goalkeeper.

This meeting will also allow David Beckham, owner of Inter Miami, to meet his former team, where he played from February to May 2013 and where he finished his career.