European champions PSG enter the knockout stage after recovering from an early stumble in the group phase, where they suffered a shock defeat to Botafogo. However, a composed 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders ensured they topped Group B, reaffirming their status as one of the tournament favourites.
On the other side, Inter Miami impressed with a second-place finish in Group A behind Palmeiras. The MLS side earned a hard-fought 2-2 draw against the Brazilian champions and followed it up with a 2-1 victory over Porto. Led by Messi and supported by veterans like Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets, Miami have shown they can compete on the global stage.
Despite this, the odds remain firmly in favour of the Parisians. Bookmakers have PSG as clear frontrunners to win the tie, pricing them at 1/14 to qualify, while Inter Miami stand as significant underdogs at 8/1. PSG are also among the top picks to lift the Club World Cup trophy, currently sitting at 3/1 odds.
PSG’s dominance in Europe this year has been notable, capped by a commanding 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final. They also swept aside Atletico Madrid 4-0 in the semi-finals, underlining the quality and depth of Luis Enrique’s squad. While their loss to Botafogo raised questions, it remains one of only two defeats since April, both occurring when the team was heavily rotated after securing the Ligue 1 title.
Sunday’s match is more than just a contest between two clubs—it’s a symbolic reunion, as Messi lines up against the team with whom he enjoyed some of his most successful years. Whether Miami can pull off a surprise remains to be seen, but the stage is set for an intriguing battle.
