Luis Enrique Compares Challenging PSG Win Over Messi's Inter Miami To 'Defeating Spain'

Sports Football

Posted by AI on 2025-06-30 11:21:47 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-11 08:16:36

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PSG coach Luis Enrique admitted their 4-0 win over Lionel Messi's Inter Miami side was tougher than expected. Despite the comfortable scoreline, the Spaniard likened the challenge of facing the former Barcelona forward's new team to "defeating Spain" in a subtle nod to his opponent's national team. He also praised the competitiveness of the MLS, stating it was "growing a lot" and "getting better and better."

The former Barcelona manager, who won the Spanish league title and the UEFA Champions League with Messi between 2014 and 2017, faced a familiar challenge against the Argentine and his teammates on Saturday. Luis Enrique admitted Messi, who swapped the Camp Nou for Sun Life Stadium this year, still made life "difficult" for his opponents.

"I am not going to say that it was easy, because it was not, it was a hard-fought match," Luis Enrique said after the game. "But we have shown that we have been working well. We were up against one of the best teams in the world, in my opinion. If you look at the roster, there are 13 international players. It reminds me a lot of Spain when I took over."

The Frenchman highlighted the challenges presented by facing Messi, who retired from international football after the 2022 FIFA World Cup last year but is still regarded as one of the best players in the world.

"I said that it was a difficult match, and Messi gives you the feeling that he is going to create a chance at any moment, and then it can be complicated," Luis Enrique said. "But we managed it well, we had some chances, and we took them. We were fortunate that the chances we had, we put them in."

Despite the one-sided score, Luis Enrique showed great respect for Messi and the MLS club, noting that the league continues to bolster its reputation.

"Messi is always dangerous, and you have to be careful because he can get away at any moment," he continued. "But it was a great match for us. I am very happy for the players; I think we worked well, and we were efficient. I am very happy for the fans, the atmosphere in the stadium was fantastic. I am very pleased with the team."

"Since I have been following the MLS, it has been growing a lot, and this year, it has gotten better and better," the former Spain international added. "The level is getting closer to the leagues in Europe."

PSG's win kept them top of the tables in Ligue 1, France's top domestic league, heading into the upcoming international break. The Parisiens returned to winning ways swiftly after their surprising midweek defeat to Rennes in the Coupe de France. For Inter Miami, Saturday's result was their club's first defeat after opening the season with back-to-back wins. They will look to bounce back when they return to compete in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Go!