Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano hailed his team's performance in their Club World Cup round of 16 clash against Paris Saint-Germain but labelled the first half as a 'bloodbath' as the MLS side went down 4-0 against the European champions. Joao Neves led the way with a brace and Achraf Hakimi was also on target, while Tomas Aviles scored an own goal as Inter Miami were decimated before the interval.

Javier Mascherano ‘Proud’ of Lionel Messi & Co Despite PSG ‘Bloodbath’

Inter Miami Boss Reflects on Club World Cup Exit with Optimism and Honesty

It was always going to be a mountain to climb. Facing a star-studded Paris Saint-Germain side in a high-stakes Club World Cup round of 16 tie, Javier Mascherano’s Inter Miami were outgunned, outpaced, and—at times—overwhelmed. A 4-0 defeat on neutral ground in Atlanta may look like a rout on paper, and Javier Mascherano himself didn’t shy away from calling the first half a “bloodbath,” but behind the scoreline lies a story of ambition, growth, and perspective.

And in the midst of that story, there’s a steadying hand guiding it all — the former Argentina captain, now head coach, who says he’s walking away from the tournament not dejected, but “proud” of Lionel Messi and Co.

The Bloodbath That Was PSG vs Inter Miami

If the first half was painful for Inter Miami, it was surgical from PSG. The reigning French and European champions came out with the kind of intensity you’d expect from a team that has played (and won) on the biggest stages.

Joao Neves set the tone with two clinical goals, Achraf Hakimi got on the scoresheet, and a mishap from Tomas Aviles gifted PSG an own goal that summed up the one-sided nature of the opening 45 minutes.

By halftime, it was 4-0. The scoreboard was ruthless. The disparity in levels, stark.

For Javier Mascherano, it was a learning moment—albeit a painful one.

“Regrettably, when they scored a goal so early, it was difficult… it was just too easy the way it was scored,” he told reporters. “The first half was kind of like a bloodbath.”

But if the first half felt like drowning, the second half showed signs of life.

“The second half was a bit slower, and we showed everything we are doing in MLS,” Javier Mascherano added. “We didn’t stop trying. That matters.”

Inter Miami’s Mission Wasn’t Just About Winning

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From the start, Inter Miami entered the Club World Cup with a goal that extended beyond silverware. With Lionel Messi leading a side rich in both experience and developing talent, the aim was to test themselves, to see where they stood against the world’s elite.

And by one metric, they succeeded.

They became the first MLS team ever to reach the knockout stage of the tournament. That achievement came courtesy of a gutsy group stage run that included a 2-1 victory over Porto—led, of course, by Lionel Messi’s brilliance.

That win alone sent a message: Inter Miami weren’t just here to take pictures and exchange shirts. They were here to compete.

“My take on the tournament is we have accomplished the goals we set for ourselves,” Javier Mascherano said. “It’s crystal clear that when we are competing, we would be able to do so to a certain level.”

In other words, no delusions. Javier Mascherano knew what kind of mountain PSG represented. But for a club founded in 2018, still finding its feet on the world stage, the mere act of climbing this high deserves respect.

Mascherano on PSG: “They’re Fraught With So Many Tools”

Mascherano wasn’t bitter. He was honest. He knows PSG’s resources, depth, and tactical versatility are far beyond what Inter Miami can currently match.

“PSG are full and fraught with so many tools. You cannot cover the entire field,” he admitted. “I wanted to be on the pitch with my players, supporting them.”

It’s a coach’s instinct. That urge to fight with your team, even when you’re overmatched.

His half-time message reflected that sentiment—not denial, but resilience.

“The message at half-time was that we have to live with this,” he explained. “It’s difficult when it’s 4-0 and you know you don’t have much chance, you don’t expect to change the result, but it was important to show a good image to people.”

That second-half performance, though scoreless, was symbolic. No collapses. No tantrums. Just grit.

Lionel Messi’s Quiet Influence

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Though he didn’t score against PSG, Lionel Messi’s presence throughout the tournament served as both a tactical asset and a mental boost. His winner against Porto in the group stage was vintage Lionel Messi—timely, technical, and decisive. It gave the team belief. It gave the fans a moment.

Mascherano, who has shared countless pitches and locker rooms with Lionel Messi for club and country, continues to build a squad around his former teammate that blends superstar talent with ambitious youth.

Messi’s tournament may have ended in disappointment, but his leadership remains critical to what Inter Miami is building—not just in MLS, but globally.

A Club With Bigger Dreams Than Just MLS Silverware

Since the arrival of Lionel Messi, along with former Barcelona teammates like Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, the expectations around Inter Miami have skyrocketed. So has their visibility. And yet, it’s not just about dominating Major League Soccer anymore.

With this Club World Cup run, they’ve shown a hunger to test themselves beyond American borders.

And while the loss to PSG hurts, Javier Mascherano sees it as fuel for what’s to come.

“I reiterate I am proud of what my team has accomplished,” he said. “Going forward, we will focus on the future and leverage our entire experience for domestic competitions.”

In other words, the bruises from this clash are going to heal. What remains is the lesson.

What’s Next for Inter Miami?

There’s no time to dwell. Inter Miami returns to MLS action on July 6 with a tricky fixture against CF Montreal. The schedule is unforgiving, but there’s a renewed sense of clarity about who they are and what they’re capable of.

Mascherano’s voice in the locker room will carry even more weight now. He’s not just a big name managing big players — he’s someone who just watched his squad face one of the best teams in the world and refused to throw them under the bus.

He saw the 4-0 defeat not as a collapse, but as a checkpoint.

“This is the way we want to play,” he emphasized. “We’re not afraid of these moments. We’ll learn. We’ll grow.”

Final Whistle: Defeated But Not Diminished

Call it a bloodbath if you must — and Javier Mascherano himself did — but don’t confuse the pain of defeat with failure. Inter Miami came to the Club World Cup and made history, and even if the ending was rough, the journey was bold.

Javier Mascherano, the warrior-turned-manager, made it clear: this isn’t a team that folds. And with Lionel Messi still pulling the strings, they won’t go quiet any time soon.

Their next chapter starts now — and it’s being written in a language of resilience, not regret.