Olaleye Idowu
Inter Miami captain, Lionel Messi has admitted he would have preferred not to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup last 16.
Messi and his teammates were hammered 4-0 by the UEFA Champions League winners in a one-sided affair.
A brace from Joao Neves, a Tomas Aviles own goal and Achraf Hakimi’s finish gave PSG the victory against the MLS side.
However, a win against Palmeiras in the last group fixture would have seen Inter Miami take on Botafogo in the knockout round.
“We remain with the sentiment against Palmeiras that, winning the game 2-0 and drawing, we had to face PSG, which was more complicated,” Messi said.
“But well, it’s not a disappointment either, it’s just simply a situation that could’ve been different. Getting the draw in the final minutes left a sour taste, but I think beyond that, we competed.
“It’s over, and now we have to think about what’s next.”