Ousmane Dembele described Lionel Messi as “the best” after Paris Saint-Germain’s decisive 4-0 victory against Inter Miami on Sunday, June 29. The match, held in Atalanta, marked Messi’s first appearance facing one of his former clubs, adding emotional weight to the contest. This win secured PSG a place in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup.
The Ligue 1 champions quickly took control, with João Neves scoring twice, Tomas Aviles registering an own goal, and Achraf Hakimi adding another strike in the first half. Messi, who played the entire match for Inter Miami, struggled to influence play as PSG dominated throughout.
Messi’s Response After Defeat and Dembele’s Encouraging Message
After the game, Messi appeared visibly disappointed and shared his thoughts on Instagram, expressing pride in reaching the tournament’s round of 16 despite the loss. He wrote:
“Today the Club World Cup ends for us with a defeat against the current champion of the Champions, where there are people I appreciate and gave me joy to see again. We leave with pride to have achieved the goal of making it to the top 16 of the tournament. Now to focus on the @mls and all that is coming….”
On the same post, Dembele offered a brief but powerful compliment, writing:
“El mejor”
This Spanish phrase translates to “the best,” reflecting Dembele’s admiration for his former Barcelona teammate. Between 2017 and 2021, Messi and Dembele shared significant moments at Barcelona before moving on to different clubs. In the Atalanta match, Dembele was brought on as a substitute in the 62nd minute once PSG had established a commanding lead.
The Warm Reunion Between Former Barcelona Teammates Amid Fierce Competition
Although they were opponents on the pitch for 28 minutes, the bond between Messi and Dembele remained evident. After the match, Messi was comforted by former teammates who approached him with warm exchanges. Achraf Hakimi, who netted PSG’s fourth goal, requested to swap jerseys with Messi, highlighting mutual respect.
Dembele went further by taking both Messi’s shirt and shorts as keepsakes, demonstrating the special connection they continue to share. On Instagram, the French forward expressed his happiness at seeing Messi again, reinforcing their enduring friendship despite now being rivals.
Looking Ahead: Champions League Quarter-Finals and MLS Season Focus
Messi and Dembele have shared the field 95 times in their careers, collectively scoring 15 goals. With their journey in the Club World Cup concluded, Messi and Inter Miami will turn their attention back to Major League Soccer, where Inter Miami currently holds sixth place in the standings. Meanwhile, PSG is preparing to face Bayern Munich in the upcoming quarter-final stage of the Club World Cup. This encounter will test PSG’s championship credentials further in the international competition.