‘They came for Messi’: A losing score, a lasting legend

On paper, it was a rout: Paris Saint-Germain 4, Inter Miami 0. But as the final whistle blew at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, all eyes remained on one man — Lionel Messi.

The scoreline told one story. The atmosphere told another.

Billed as a clash between European royalty and the MLS's rising stars, PSG's first-half blitz appeared to confirm fears of a one-sided affair. João Neves' early opener sparked a flurry of goals before the break, effectively putting the result beyond doubt. Yet the second half offered a different narrative — one centred around the enduring magic of Messi.

Luis Enrique, PSG's treble-winning manager, knew the challenge wasn't over at the interval.

"It's difficult to play against players of that calibre," he said after the match. "People will look at the 4-0 and think it was comfortable. It wasn't. Especially in the second half — we had to dig deep."

Messi, now 38 but still exuding the aura of a prime-era superstar, conducted play like a maestro. With close friend Luis Suárez alongside him and Jordi Alba bursting down the flank, Inter Miami came to life after the restart. They didn't score, but they made Europe's elite glance nervously over their shoulders.

"It was magnificent," said PSG defender Lucas Beraldo. "To be on the same pitch as Leo... I grew up watching him. It still feels surreal."

For Enrique, the evening was less about nostalgia and more about getting the job done. His side are riding high on the momentum of a historic treble — Champions League, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France — and are now through to the Club World Cup quarter-finals. But he admitted Miami gave them a scare.

"After the first half, we took our foot off the pedal slightly, and they grew into the game. That's what world-class players do. They punish you if you're not switched on."

While PSG celebrated progression, Inter Miami found pride in perspective. Javier Mascherano, now managing the MLS outfit, acknowledged the gulf in quality — but refused to concede on spirit.

"We knew our ceiling, and we reached it," said the former Argentina captain. "Yes, PSG are the best team in the world right now. But we didn't come to bow down — we came to compete. And Leo reminded the world who he is."

Indeed, the stadium — awash in Inter Miami pink and Messi's iconic No.10 shirt — was testament to the Argentine's enduring appeal.

"People didn't come for the scoreline," Mascherano said. "They came for Messi. And he delivered — even in defeat."

For PSG, the journey goes on, with a Club World Cup title now firmly in their sights. For Inter Miami and Messi, the path is different — less about silverware, more about creating moments. On this night, they found one.