Lionel Messi has revealed Inter Miami’s biggest regret at the Club World Cup following their thrashing by PSG on Sunday was the side’s 10 minute collapse in their final group game against Palmeiras.
Having progressed to the round of 16 after a second placed finish, Messi faced former club and European champions PSG in what was a 4-0 annihilation of the American side, ending Inter Miami’s hopes of becoming world champions.
However, Messi has revealed that the loss had felt even more bitter following the late capitulation against Palmeiras in the final group stage game, which saw head coach Javier Mascherano’s side throw away a 2-0 lead in the dying minutes.
Asked for his thoughts on Inter Miami’s performance at the Club World Cup after their loss to PSG, the Argentine and club captain Messi stated: ‘We remain with the sentiment against Palmeiras that winning the game 2-0 and drawing we had to face PSG which was more complicated…Getting the draw in the final minutes left a sour taste’.
Despite the best efforts of Messi and a world class finish from forward Luis Suarez, the Herons conceded twice in the last ten minutes of the game against the Brazilian team.
Failure to secure the win against Palmeiras meant that Inter Miami were able to place only second in their group rather than topping it, resulting in an unfavorable draw – against one of tournament favorites and Champions league winners PSG – rather than an easier clash with Brazilian side Botafogo in the first knockout round.
Spanish left back Jordi Alba, who played with Messi at Barcelona for nine years, shared the regrets of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner that Inter Miami’s ultimately disappointing group stage performance had hindered the squad’s hopes for success at the tournament.
‘I’ll say it openly, we were better than all three of our group rivals, in my opinion,’ emphasized the defender following the defeat to PSG. ‘Today, we were talking about a very great rival, and they really put you through their paces, but, well, things are what they are’.
Despite qualifying for the knockouts being considered a success amongst those who follow Inter Miami, the feeling amongst the side and talisman Lionel Messi has undoubtedly been revealed as one marred by a sense of what-if in relation to their draw against Palmeiras.
With another four years to wait before the next Club World Cup in 2029, 38-year-old and three-time Club World Cup winner Messi’s regret from this game seems set to serve as a disappointing end to his club career on the world stage.
