Messi Sets Unbeatable Record as Inter Miami Make History in Club World Cup

Lionel Messi celebrated his 38th birthday in style as Inter Miami secured a historic berth in the Round of 16 at the revamped FIFA Club World Cup. A dramatic 2-2 draw against Palmeiras in their final Group A match saw Miami, led by Tadeo Allende and Luis Suárez, equal top spot with five points—yet qualify as runners-up on goal difference.

Inter Miami create history, becoming the first MLS team ever to reach the knockout phase of the Club World Cup. Their rivals, Los Angeles FC and Seattle Sounders, failed to advance—Seattle drawing unwanted notoriety by losing all three group matches.

Messi once again proved his enduring influence, maintaining his 100% group-stage progression record—31 for club, two for country—never missing a knockout phase in 33 tournaments since 2005, spanning the Champions League, World Cups, Copa Américas, and now the Club World Cup.

Miami’s momentum was bolstered by a free-kick salvo from Messi in their previous 2-1 victory over FC Porto—the first-ever club-level win by an MLS side against a European team in this tournament. That result positioned them to control their destiny against Palmeiras.

Despite Miami leading 2-0, Palmeiras staged a late resurgence with goals from Paulinho (80′) and Mauricio (87′), dethroning Miami by goal difference and earning top spot. The hosts settled for second place, setting up a blockbuster Round of 16 clash against European champions Paris Saint-Germain in Atlanta on Sunday.

Messi will face his former club and his old manager, Luis Enrique, alongside ex-Barcelona teammates Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets—adding rich narrative spice to the match. Miami’s Jordi Alba labelled PSG “one of the best teams in the world,” declaring, “once the game starts, we will compete…and why can’t we do it?”.

Coach Javier Mascherano remains optimistic, acknowledging PSG’s vulnerabilities—noting their surprise Group B loss to Botafogo—and insists his squad will approach the match with discipline and belief. Now ranked among football’s elite 16, Inter Miami and Messi are chasing even greater history.