PSG Clash with Messi's Inter Miami: Battle Preview and Starting XI Predictions
Inter Miami CF must deliver an extraordinary performance to advance to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals this Sunday when they face European titleholders Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.
The Herons secured their knockout stage berth by claiming second place in Group A, with Lionel Messi's brilliance helping them defeat Porto while draws against Al Ahly and Palmeiras guaranteed their progression to the round of 16. However, after receiving a manageable group draw, fortune has abandoned them as they prepare to confront the dominant PSG.
The Parisian powerhouse excelled both in domestic competition and across Europe throughout the 2024–25 season and stands as the tournament favorite to claim the Club World Cup title. Although they suffered an unexpected loss to Botafogo on Matchday 2, their demolition of Atlético Madrid and decisive victory over Seattle Sounders earned them comfortable qualification to the knockout stage.
Luis Enrique possesses the tournament's most intimidating attacking unit and they should theoretically cruise into the quarterfinals. However, the Club World Cup has already delivered several upsets and Inter Miami requires another miracle to emerge on Sunday in Atlanta.
Here is Sports Illustrated's comprehensive preview of this Club World Cup encounter.
What Time Does PSG vs. Inter Miami Kick-Off?
PSG vs. Inter Miami Head-to-Head Record
This marks the inaugural competitive meeting between PSG and Inter Miami.
Current Form (all competitions)
PSG | Inter Miami |
|---|---|
Seattle Sounders 0–2 PSG – 6/23/25 | Inter Miami 2–2 Palmeiras – 6/23/25 |
PSG 0–1 Botafogo – 6/19/25 | Inter Miami 2–1 Porto – 6/19/25 |
PSG 4–0 Atlético Madrid – 6/15/25 | Al Ahly 0–0 Inter Miami – 6/14/25 |
PSG 5–0 Inter – 5/31/25 | Inter Miami 5–1 Columbus Crew – 5/31/25 |
PSG 3–0 Reims – 5/24/25 | Inter Miami 4–2 CF Montréal – 5/28/25 |
How to Watch PSG vs. Inter Miami on TV
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United States | DAZN, TUDN.com, Univision NOW, Watch TNT, TUDN App, TNT USA, truTV USA, TUDN USA, Univision |
United Kingdom | DAZN, Channel 5 |
Canada | DAZN |
Mexico | DAZN, ViX, tabii |
Watch every FIFA Club World Cup match live and on-demand
PSG Team News
Ballon d'Or contender Ousmane Dembélé was absent throughout the group phase due to a hamstring problem but the French winger has now resumed training. His starting status against Inter Miami remains uncertain but he should participate in some form.
Dembélé represents PSG's sole injury worry and it was 19-year-old Senny Mayulu, who found the net in last month's Champions League final and in the victory over Atlético in PSG's Club World Cup debut, who took his place previously. He will battle with both Bradley Barcola and Gonçalo Ramos for a starting position should Dembélé only reach the substitutes' bench.
PSG Predicted Lineup vs. Inter Miami
PSG predicted lineup vs. Inter Miami (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Doué, Barcola, Kvaratskhelia.
Inter Miami Team News
Messi will be looking to lead the Herons to a shocking result against his previous club, where he featured in 75 matches across all competitions—a figure he's almost matched at Inter Miami. Close companion and former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez contributed a goal and assist against Palmeiras in the final group match and must help shoulder the creative responsibilities.
Drake Callender, Yannick Bright, Gonzalo Lújan and David Ruiz will be unavailable against PSG, while defender Ian Fray is also questionable with a groin problem that kept him out of the Palmeiras stalemate.
Jordi Alba has appeared as a substitute in the previous two games after recently recovering from injury and is contending for a starting role.
Inter Miami Predicted Lineup vs. PSG
Inter Miami predicted lineup vs. PSG (4-4-2): Ustari; Weigandt, Avilés, Falcón, Allen; Allende, Redondo, Busquets, Segovia; Messi, Suárez.
PSG vs. Inter Miami Score Prediction
Inter Miami will be looking to put forth a respectable showing against PSG, even though advancing to the quarterfinals appears extremely challenging. They must remain defensively disciplined and depend on individual magic at the attacking end to maintain their dignity.
PSG demonstrated they're not unbeatable in their loss to Botafogo during the group phase but they still controlled that match despite the defeat. They possess too many offensive threats for Inter Miami and should score multiple goals against Javier Mascherano's team to secure a quarterfinal clash with either Flamengo or Bayern Munich.