With just over 24 hours remaining until the newly formatted FIFA Club World Cup begins in Miami, many of the city’s French inhabitants are hoping this tournament will provide an opportunity for vengeance against the Argentine star, as they chase yet another significant trophy.
Located opposite one of Miami’s most renowned French patisseries, the Yann Couvreur Café, is a striking pink mural honouring four of Inter Miami’s illustrious players.
This mural can be found in the lively Wynwood district, famous for its vibrant street art, showcasing Spanish defender Jordi Alba, alongside Haitian midfielder Fafa Picault and USA’s own Benjamin Cremaschi.
However, it’s the well-known Argentine on the right that is the main focus of attention.
This ‘Messi mural’, as it has been dubbed, is merely one of the many artworks that have appeared since the World Cup winner joined the club from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.
During his time at PSG, Messi scored 32 goals in 75 matches, but despite teaming up with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, he never reached the incredible heights he achieved at Barcelona, leaving the club under somewhat contentious circumstances after merely two years.
Many Parisians still feel the sting of his penalty for Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final against France.
Stopping by the French café was Thomas Miskin and his daughter Candice, both Parisian by birth and lifelong PSG supporters who relocated to Miami in 2019.
“(Messi) is a hero, but I do have mixed feelings,” Thomas admitted.
“I truly appreciate him as a football legend and all that he has accomplished. No doubt about that.
“However, how things ended at PSG raises some questions for me as a fan. Paris is my club, my city, my colours.”
“I believe the current players genuinely feel something for the colours and the jersey. I didn’t sense that same emotional connection from Messi.”
Despite Inter Miami’s growing prominence and the numerous images of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner adorning the city, Candice’s allegiance remains unchanged.
“My dad has been a fan all along, and that’s how I was raised. That’s the only team I support.”
“It’s amusing to see (Messi) everywhere, especially when I have mixed feelings because there are so many Argentinian fans (here),” she remarked.
Guillaume Munier, the executive pastry chef at Yann Couvreur, also hails from Paris and made the move to Miami in January.
He passes by the mural daily.
“Messi is a complicated subject for me,” the PSG supporter stated. “He won the last World Cup, yet his time in Paris was somewhat perplexing. He wasn’t the player he was at Barcelona.”
“I still have a great deal of respect for him as he’s an outstanding player, unquestionably among the best.”
Despite his mixed feelings toward his former player, Munier is keen for the Club World Cup to commence and is looking to secure tickets, “particularly because my team is participating.”
“I travel worldwide for work, but my football club is still my priority,” he commented.
“I find the new format fascinating. It’s a unique opportunity for clubs across the globe to compete for another trophy.”
“I actually saw the trophy last week; FIFA came to take some pictures. It’s truly an extraordinary trophy, very impressive.”
Since Messi departed PSG, the French side has rejuvenated, clinching the domestic treble last season and recently winning their first Champions League title following a historic thrashing of Inter Milan.
This celebrated team, boasting some of the brightest talents of the current generation, is a leading contender for the trophy this summer, and Candice believes their fortunes have aligned perfectly as they pursue their inaugural global title.
“I feel it’s genuinely their year; they are gelling as a team, especially with coach Luis Enrique at the helm—they have a solid squad,” she remarked.
“Winning the Champions League has been a childhood dream,” Thomas added. “Seeing my club finally reach that level for everyone to witness how great we are is exhilarating.”
Thomas is optimistic that their highly anticipated journey to the final will inspire a new generation of fans within the US, aiding their efforts to expand their support base in the Sunshine State.
“It’s just the beginning. The New York supporters’ club has a much larger presence, creating a fantastic atmosphere.” We have a PSG Miami supporters’ club, but it’s tiny, so we usually just coordinate over text, saying, ‘let’s meet up somewhere.’
“Winning the Champions League is the very first step, and the Club World Cup – being its inaugural edition – is an excellent way to kick things off.”
“It’s an amazing opportunity to showcase to the world that being a Champions League winner holds significant value at this level.”
PSG faces a challenging Group B, featuring matches on the West Coast against La Liga’s Atletico Madrid, the 2024 CONCACAF champions Seattle Sounders, as well as South American and Brazilian champions Botafogo.
“We’ll show the difference,” he asserted. “Paris is the best team this year.”
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