Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has admitted he would have preferred to avoid facing Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup Round of 16.
Messi’s side suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to the Champions League holders in what turned out to be a one-sided clash.
PSG secured the win with a brace from Joao Neves, an own goal by Tomas Aviles, and a strike from Achraf Hakimi. But had Inter Miami beaten Palmeiras in their final group game, they would have faced Botafogo instead in the knockout stage.
“We’re left with the feeling that if we had beaten Palmeiras 2-0 instead of drawing, we would’ve avoided PSG, which was a tougher opponent,” Messi said.
“But it’s not a disappointment — just one of those situations that could have turned out differently. The late equaliser left a bitter taste, but overall, I think we competed.
“It’s in the past now, and we have to focus on what’s ahead.”
