Lionel Messi was consoled by former team-mate Ousmane Dembele and a host of other familiar faces after his Inter Miami side were thrashed 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Messi — who played alongside Dembele at Barcelona between 2017 and 2021 — played the full 90 minutes on Sunday as his Miami side were outclassed by the reigning European champions.
Meanwhile, Dembele entered the action as a 62nd-minute substitute, with his side already four goals ahead following a one-sided first half.
Messi looked visibly dejected at times during Sunday’s knockout game, but his spirits appeared to be lifted by old pals in the tunnel.
PSG boss Luis Enrique — who won nine trophies as Messi’s manager at Barcelona between 2014 and 2017 — brought a smile to the 38-year-old’s face during a friendly exchange, which included him stroking the player’s hair.
Messi then shook hands with Gianluigi Donnarumma and Presnel Kimpembe — who were among his team-mates at PSG during his two seasons in Paris.
Ousmane Dembele (left) and Lionel Messi (right) swapped shirts after PSG beat Inter Miami 4-0
PSG manager Luis Enrique looked very happy to see Messi as he smiled and stroked his hair
Later, Messi was seen walking arm in arm with Dembele, before the pair swapped shirts.
Dembele then took to Instagram to share a photo of himself proudly posing with the Miami captain’s jersey, next to Messi, who was wearing the France winger’s PSG top.
‘It’s so good to see you again,’ Dembele wrote as his caption. ‘@leomessi, the best of all time… I hope you continue making history with him @intermiamicf as in this Club World Cup.’
Although Miami are now out of the Club World Cup, they had exceeded many people’s expectations by progressing beyond the group phase.
Messi and Co qualified from Group A without losing. They drew 0-0 with Al Ahly before beating Porto 2-1. Miami then played out a 2-2 draw with Palmeiras.
PSG will now face Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals after the German champions beat Flamengo 4-2.
