Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has sent a friendly but clear message to his former teammate Lionel Messi ahead of their upcoming FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 clash on Sunday.
The Moroccan international, who played alongside Messi during the Argentine's stint at PSG, emphasized that their friendship would be temporarily set aside when PSG faces Messi's current club, Inter Miami.
"It would be nice to meet Messi again. There were many beautiful moments," Hakimi told ItalPress. "We will see who we play against but then, on the pitch, there are no friends."
Hakimi further stressed the competitive nature of the upcoming fixture: "He will try to win and we will also try to win. We will give everything to try to pass to the next round."
Former Teammates Face Off
The match represents a significant reunion between Messi and several of his former PSG teammates. The Argentine superstar left the French champions in 2023 to join MLS side Inter Miami, where he has helped transform the American club into a competitive force on the global stage.
Inter Miami recently secured their place in the Round of 16 after recording their first win in the tournament, while PSG suffered a surprising 1-0 defeat to Brazilian side Botafogo in their group stage match.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has already produced several dramatic moments, with the expanded format bringing together top clubs from around the world in what has become one of football's most prestigious competitions.
Sunday's encounter between PSG and Inter Miami is expected to draw global attention as Messi faces his former club in a high-stakes knockout match.
Follow BenriNews for more updates on this developing story and comprehensive coverage of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
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