Master meets maestro as Luis Enrique prepares PSG for Messi challenge
June 28 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique will face former protege Lionel Messi on Sunday in a Club World Cup clash at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium that pits the European champions against Inter Miami's team of former Barcelona veterans.
The 54-year-old Spaniard, who led PSG to the Champions League crown in May, will now be tasked with confronting the same player who helped him secure nine major titles during their distinguished three-year association at Barcelona.
"I had the chance to coach Leo Messi at the peak of his game. But his peak has actually lasted 10–15 years or more," Enrique told reporters on Saturday.
"That's why I'd say he's the best football player in history... I had the chance to win every possible title with him at Barcelona."
However, the PSG coach warned there is more to Inter Miami than just Messi. "There's no doubt whatsoever that they have the right skills and quality," he added, noting that the American side's lineup features former Barcelona players Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez.
Asked about neutralising the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, Enrique stressed a collective approach. "If we want to stop Leo Messi, we can't rely on just one player because we'll be dead. We need collective defence, he can dribble past any player."
Despite being favourites, PSG remain driven after lifting the Champions League trophy. "We just won the Champions League, but we're thirsty and eager to keep showing that there's room for improvement," he said.
"What better place to do so than here in this amazing stadium, facing a team that includes Messi?"
Luis Enrique also highlighted the involvement of former mentee Javier Mascherano as the opposing coach. "He has everything it takes to become a top coach. I'm not surprised because I knew Mascherano very well as a player. He has been ready for a long time," he said.
Mascherano acknowledged the scale of the task facing PSG.
"We are not naive and we know that we are the weaker team, but that doesn't mean that they will kill us beforehand. We will fight," the Argentine manager told reporters.
"The challenge tomorrow is to test ourselves against the best team in the world. We know how difficult the match will be."
The knockout encounter represents a significant test for both sides, with PSG seeking to add global honours to their European success while Inter Miami aim to prove themselves against elite opposition.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
33 minutes ago
- Reuters
'F1: The Movie' roars to $55.6 million opening weekend in US, Canada
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, June 29 (Reuters) - The high-octane racing film "F1: The Movie" brought in $55.6 million in ticket sales in the United States and Canada. The movie, which stars Brad Pitt as a Formula 1 racer who returns to the track after an accident nearly ended his career, blew past the $45 million to $55 million pre-weekend domestic forecast from The Box Office Company. Worldwide receipts topped $88 million, propelled by the sport's strong fan base in Europe and Latin America.
The Independent
36 minutes ago
- The Independent
Arsenal transfer news: Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and more
Arsenal will be hoping for a productive summer as they look to buck their trend of second-place finishes next term. It was once again a case of close but not close enough for Mikel Arteta 's side in 2024/25. Finishing second fiddle to the Premier League champions for a third successive season, the Gunners endured another trophyless campaign after their Champions League push fell at the hands of eventual winners PSG. A key reason for their failure to achieve was an attacking injury crisis that forced Mikel Merino, a defensive midfielder, to take up a role of makeshift number nine for the final months of the season. What these fitness problems demonstrated is that despite their undeniable quality in the starting XI, Arsenal's depth is far from good enough for a team hopeful of major titles, both domestically and on the continent. And with numerous players already on the chopping block, Arteta has promised a 'big' summer of recruitment at the Emirates. New sporting director Andrea Berta is leading the club's transfer dealings, and Arsenal will be hoping he can replicate his Atleti exploits in London as Arteta looks to lead the club back to the Premier League pinnacle for the first time since 2006. With the transfer window having re-opened on 16 June, a striker remains top of the club's shopping list, though the club have been linked with midfield and winger signings in recent weeks. Here's everything you need to know about Arsenal's summer transfer plans. Areas to improve The obvious priority for Arsenal will be to sign at least one world class striker. Gabriel Jesus is sidelined with a serious injury that could keep him out until midway through next season, and while the returning Kai Havertz remains one of Arteta's favoured players, there is a strong desire to add an out-and-out proven goalscorer to the ranks. The Gunners will also look to add central midfielder, with Thomas Partey set to leave the club on a free when his contract expires at the end of the month, though it does look as though a deal for Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi will be completed soon. Inconsistency on the Gabriel Martinelli front means that a left-winger could also be targeted, bringing healthy competition for the Brazilian if not to simply replace him. Elsewhere, cover is expected to be sought at full-back with current options touted for exits, while a backup goalkeeper for David Raya could be acquired as Neto returns to Bournemouth from his loan spell. Done deals Outs: Nuno Tavares (Lazio, £7m), Marquinhos (Cruzeiro £2.5m), Jorginho (Flamengo, free transfer), Kieran Tierney (Celtic, free transfer) Potential targets Martin Zubimendi, Real Sociedad Zubimendi looks pretty nailed on to become Arsenal's first signing of the summer. The Real Sociedad midfielder, 26, is set for a medical with the Gunners after his £51m release clause was met. It comes a year after the Spain international apparently rejected the advances of Liverpool, who pipped Arsenal to the Premier League title this term. A metronome in the middle of the park, excelling in a deep-lying playmaker role, Zubimendi fits the bill in terms of Arteta's midfield desires this summer. Benjamin Sesko, RB Leipzig Though Viktor Gyokeres was long touted as Arsenal's preferred striker signing, recent reports suggest that the Gunners would now prefer RB Leipzig sharpshooter Benjamin Sesko. The 22-year-old has a penchant for ripping the net off and appears to be quickly transitioning into Arsenal's preferred option up top. Arteta has sanctioned talks with the Slovenian as they look to beat Chelsea to his signature, with the German club reportedly looking for between £65m and £85m. Viktor Gyokeres, Sporting CP Arsenal need a striker and prolific Sporting frontman Gyokeres, 26, seemed to be their first choice for a while. The ex-Coventry man has stamped his mark as one of the best in his position in Europe, netting 97 goals in just 102 appearances across two seasons in Lisbon. Rumours suggest that the Gunners have already had a £60m bid for him rejected, though some reports claim that Arsenal have cooled their interest. In short, nothing is known for sure, and this one could become one of the sagas of the summer, along with the pursuit of Sesko. Christian Norgaard, Brentford With Thomas Partey heading for the exit upon the expiry of his contract at the end of June, Arsenal are lacking experience in their midfield. Enter Christian Norgaard, the 31-year-old Brentford skipper who looks set to sign for the Gunners to add Premier League-proven depth to Arteta's ranks. The Dane may not be the sexiest of signings, but he acts as a safe pair of hands who could prove very useful to the Gunners next term. Kepa Arrizabalaga, Chelsea The latest Blues star to cross the divide, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga looks set to follow the likes of Willian, David Luiz and Jorginho before him to the red side of London. The out-of-favour Spaniard has spent the last two seasons on loan at Bournemouth and Real Madrid and will be a decent enough No 2 replacement following Neto's return to the Cherries at the end of his loan. Nico Williams, Athletic Bilbao Williams has been on Arsenal's radar since his stunning Euro 2024 campaign last summer - and despite a slightly underwhelming follow-up campaign last season, there is still no denying the 22-year-old's talent. The Spaniard could prove the perfect reinforcement down the left wing, putting pressure on Martinelli to start playing at his dangerous best regularly, or else suffer a drop down the pecking order. However, recent reports have strongly linked the Spaniard with a move to Barcelona, though nothing has been fully agreed between the clubs.
Daily Mail
39 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
David Beckham is pictured for first time in plaster cast after being hospitalised with 'unbearable' pain... as England legend waves to fans ahead of Inter Miami's Club World Cup clash against PSG
has been pictured for the first time wearing a plaster cast after undergoing surgery, as he waved to fans ahead of Inter Miami's Club World Cup clash against Paris Saint-Germain in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday. The 50-year-old was hospitalised last week after being left in 'unbearable' pain and requiring surgery to remove a screw embedded in his wrist from an old injury suffered while playing for England 22 years ago. Beckham, who co-owns Inter Miami, was seen arriving at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium wearing a blue sling with his right hand encased in a plaster cast, but appeared in good spirits as he smiled and greeted supporters before the match. It comes just days after wife Victoria, 51, shared a photo of Beckham in hospital recovering from the operation, writing on Instagram: 'Get well soon daddy' as he smiled despite the discomfort. MailOnline revealed that the former England captain had experienced worsening pain in recent months, with the embedded screw causing severe discomfort before he was forced to undergo surgery last week. Despite his recent hospitalisation, Beckham made the trip to Atlanta to support his team in one of their biggest games since the club's formation, standing pitchside ahead of kick-off and chatting with staff. His appearance comes amid a period of family tensions, with ongoing reports of a rift with eldest son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz, who did not attend Beckham's 50th birthday celebrations last month. Beckham, however, ensured his mother Sandra was celebrated on her 76th birthday last week, posting a warm tribute on Instagram and including Brooklyn in the message despite the ongoing family issues.
