Mascherano on Messi’s Mindset: “He’s Better When He’s Angry”

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano reflected on his team’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Palmeiras, a result that sent both sides into the knockout stage of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Goals from Tadeo Allende and Luis Suárez put the MLS outfit in command, but one of South America's elite clubs, Palmeiras, hit back late through Paulinho and Mauricio to snatch a point and finish top of Group A. Inter Miami, meanwhile, advance as runners-up and now face a mouth-watering clash with Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16.

“Of course, we’re disappointed to have let the win slip away at the end,” Mascherano told reporters. “But this is still a historic night for us. We competed with one of the top sides in South America and matched them. That’s a big moment for the club and for the league.”

Messi’s PSG Reunion: A Match with Subtext

The upcoming tie with PSG carries extra emotional weight for Lionel Messi, who spent two seasons in Paris, lifting back-to-back Ligue 1 titles but falling short of Champions League glory. His time in the French capital was often clouded by tension with the club’s fanbase, particularly after Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 World Cup.

When asked if the reunion with PSG could serve as extra fuel for the Inter Miami captain, Mascherano smiled and replied:

“It’s better for us when Leo’s angry. He’s that kind of player—more dangerous when he’s in a serious mood. But that time has passed. We’re in the United States now. It’s a different atmosphere.”

The showdown with PSG is set to be one of the standout fixtures of the round, as Messi faces his former side on the world stage once again.