Achraf Hakimi sends 'no friends' warning to Lionel Messi ahead of PSG vs Inter Miami clash in Club World Cup

Hakimi and Messi played together at Paris Saint-Germain.

Achraf Hakimi issued a “no friends” warning to Lionel Messi, his former teammate, before Paris Saint-Germain’s matchup with Inter Miami in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

Messi and Hakimi were once teammates at PSG. The Argentine forward joined the club in 2021 and spent two years at the French club before leaving in 2023. Now, the Moroccan player’s only mission in mind is to get the job done and help his side reach the quarterfinal.

When Inter Miami play the French club in the final 16 of the Club World Cup on Sunday, Messi will be up against his former side. Hakimi has stated that he should not anticipate any favours from the side he once played for.

Prior to the match, Jerome Rothen, a former France international and PSG midfielder, used even worse language when discussing Messi. According to him, the Argentina icon pushed the team’s fans to whistle him throughout the game and made “bullsh*t excuses” while he was in France.

Achraf Hakimi sent a clear message to Lionel Messi for PSG vs Inter Miami CWC showdown

Hakimi said:

“It will be nice to see Messi again. There were a lot of great moments. On the pitch, there are no friends. He’s going to try and win, and we’re going to try and win too. We’re going to give everything to try and get through to the next round.”

Meanwhile, the Argentine will be aware that his side will be in one of the toughest battles. But can we expect a surprise result? We never know. Messi will be fully prepared to do everything in his power to steer Inter Miami to the next round.

With Bayern Munich or Flamengo waiting for the winner in the quarterfinals, Messi, who has already excelled at the Club World Cup, most memorably scored the game-winning goal for the Herons against FC Porto in the group stages, will look to lead his team to another historic triumph against PSG.

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