Lionel Messi celebrated his 38th anniversary this weekend, with a goal in mind: to go to the end of the Club World Cup with Inter Miami. And while his club has just won his ticket for the eighths, its president David Beckham split a touching message on the birthday of his captain. “The greatest, the ultimate professional, player and man”, he wrote. But in the context of the upcoming shock against PSG, this wink also sounds like a warning. Because Beckham knows Paris well, and knows that Messi could reserve a dirty memory for his old club.
Even at 38, the Argentinian has lost none of his magic. By offering qualification to his team thanks to a bright free kick against Porto, Messi recalled that he remained a player capable of changing a match alone. The former Parisian, who left the capital in 2023 without having been able to fully write his story in the park, will undoubtedly be keen to make a strong impression on his former teammates. Beckham knows it better than anyone: a motivated messi can tip any about any meeting.
The warned PSG: Messi did not say his last word
It is therefore an Inter Miami boosted by his playing master who stands on the road to PSG. Paris, for its part, qualified without forcing against Seattle, and awaits its opponent firmly. But Parisians are warned: faced with a Revanchard Messi, caution is in order. If Beckham has not explicitly targeted Paris in its message, its supported tribute is very like a reminder: you do not turn the page of a legend so quickly.
Since the arrival of Messi in 2023, Beckham has continued to praise the merits of the Argentinian. He saw him transform the club, inspire young people and have a CAP cross at Inter Miami. The former English captain, also passed through PSG, is well placed to know that Messi, beyond his technical gestures, is a fierce competitor. Faced with PSG, he will want to prove that he did not come to the United States to retire. And Beckham will surely not be deprived of playing on this rope to galvanize his team.
A personal affair for Messi?
This eighth finals will have a symbolic moment for Messi. During his last speaking in the French team, Kylian Mbappé had rightly designated this club World Cup as a major objective. For Messi, it may be an opportunity to prove that he too has made a personal business. To shine against Paris is also to recall that there remains a living legend, even from a distance. And that's probably what Beckham meant, between the lines.
