Who Will Lionel Messi's Inter Miami play in Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16? Check Out Schedule, Venue

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Lionel Messi, who turned 38 on June 24, 2025, has been the driving force behind Inter Miami’s remarkable journey to the knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

The Herons navigated a tough Group A, starting with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Egypt’s Al Ahly. Messi’s influence was evident, though he couldn’t find the net. The turning point came on June 19, when Inter Miami stunned Portugal’s FC Porto with a 2-1 comeback victory at Hard Rock Stadium. Messi’s breathtaking 54th-minute free-kick, his 50th goal for the club, sealed the win and marked the first time an MLS team defeated a European side in a FIFA international club competition. The strike earned him Player of the Match honors and sent a statement to the soccer world.

In their final group-stage match on June 23, Inter Miami faced Brazil’s Palmeiras. Messi, closely marked, didn’t score but orchestrated play as Tadeo Allende and Luis Suárez gave the Herons a 2-0 lead. Late goals from Palmeiras’ Paulinho and Mauricio resulted in a 2-2 draw, but the point was enough to secure Inter Miami’s place in the Round of 16 as Group A runners-up.

This achievement, lauded by coach Javier Mascherano as “a historic night for MLS,” underscored Messi’s ability to elevate a young club to global prominence.

Club World Cup 2025: Who will Inter Miami face in Round of 16?

In a clash that has set the soccer world alight, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami will lock horns with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

This marquee matchup, set for Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, pits the MLS underdogs against European royalty.

For Messi, it's a deeply personal encounter, facing the club he left in 2023 after a bittersweet two-year stint. PSG recently emerged as the UEFA Champions League winners, which makes the encounter even more intriguing.

As Inter Miami prepares for this historic challenge, all eyes are on the Argentine legend to deliver another chapter of brilliance in his storied career.