The first two matches of the Club World Cup round of 16 were confirmed following the final match day in Groups A and B. Palmeiras, who topped Group A, will face Botafogo on the 28th in Philadelphia in a spectacular all-Brazilian clash. Meanwhile, PSG, winners of Group B, will take on Inter Miami on the 29th in Atlanta.

That second matchup promises to be one of the standout ties of the round. Lionel Messi will reunite with his former club—a PSG side that has changed significantly since his departure—and with coach Luis Enrique, whom he shared a memorable and sometimes tense period with at Barcelona.

Messi and Luis Enrique enjoyed great success at Barça, but their relationship wasn’t without controversy. The turning point came at Anoeta in early 2015. At the time, Barcelona were four points behind Real Madrid in LaLiga. In a surprise move, Luis Enrique benched Messi for the match, citing his late return from vacation in Argentina.

However, the real tension had begun earlier that week during a training session. In an interview with Radio Monte Carlo, Jérémy Mathieu revealed an argument had broken out between Messi and one of Luis Enrique’s assistants, Joaquín Valdés.

“It happened right after we came back from vacation,” Mathieu explained. “During training, the coach didn’t call a foul on Messi. Leo got a bit worked up, and some things were said. Luis Enrique went to talk to him afterward in the locker room, and it was all sorted out.”

Reflecting on the incident later on Parlem de Futbol (Catalunya Ràdio), Luis Enrique admitted: “There was a period of tension—something I didn’t seek out, but that arose and had to be handled. But today, I can only speak wonders of Leo Messi.”

Despite the drama, things eventually smoothed over, and Barça went on to win the treble. Still, Luis Enrique has long carried the stigma of being the only coach brave—or reckless—enough to bench Messi during an internal dispute.

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According to reports, Javier Mascherano was instrumental in mediating between the two. Today, Mascherano is the coach of Inter Miami and will now face Luis Enrique as a rival, with Messi once again in his ranks. Their reunion in Atlanta for a PSG–Inter Miami showdown carries a certain poetic tension. Who would have thought it?

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