Messi Frustrated After Inter Miami Advances Club World Cup Round

Lionel Messi’s participation in the 2026 World Cup remains likely, with teammates Nicolás Otamendi and Luis Suárez expressing confidence that he will compete based on his physical condition and desire to play. At the FIFA Club World Cup, Messi played a full match for Inter Miami that ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Palmeiras after losing a 2-0 lead late in the game. Despite the draw securing Inter Miami’s qualification to the knockout stages and setting up a challenging match against Paris Saint-Germain, Messi was visibly frustrated, shaking his head and muttering as he left the pitch. However, his mood briefly lifted when he warmly greeted former footballer Djalminha in the tunnel, exchanging shirts and sharing a friendly moment on Messi’s 38th birthday. Commentary suggests Messi’s frustration stemmed from his high competitive standards and dissatisfaction with not securing a win despite the team’s strong performance. Inter Miami now prepares to face PSG in the Round of 16, where Messi will aim to overcome his former club and advance further in the tournament.