Inter Miami Future Uncertain: Lionel Messi Makes Huge Announcement After Club WC Exit originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Inter Miami’s humbling 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup Round of 16 may have signaled more than just the end of a tournament run… it could mark the beginning of the end for the Messi era in MLS.

Following the lopsided loss, Argentine journalist Esteban Edul dropped a soccer bombshell on ESPNF12.

“Messi tiene pensado, los 6 meses previos al Mundial, jugar en otro lado”

✍🏻 Esteban Edul en #ESPNF12pic.twitter.com/wpksVGlEMs

— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) June 30, 2025

Translation: Messi is planning to play somewhere else for the six months leading up to the World Cup.

The announcement throws Miami’s immediate future into question and raises doubts about the long-term viability of the club’s star-driven project. Messi, 38, was mostly neutralized by PSG’s relentless press. Despite a single moment of magic (a brilliant volleyed assist to Luis Suárez that went unfinished) Messi looked every bit his age, as did fellow veterans Suárez, Busquets, and Alba.

Inter Miami couldn’t manage a shot in the first half. PSG outclassed them in every phase, with Joao Neves bagging a brace and Achraf Hakimi capping the scoring before halftime.

After the game, head coach Javier Mascherano praised his squad’s effort and called it a “great experience,” but acknowledged the massive gulf in class:

“We saw the difference between the teams… they’re probably the best team in the world.”

With Messi eyeing a short-term move ahead of the 2026 World Cup and Miami’s limitations exposed on the global stage, the club faces a harsh reality. The glitz of the “Messi Project” got them here. 

But after Sunday’s dismantling, it’s clear that if Inter Miami wants to compete at this level again, it’ll take far more than star power.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.