Offensive Banner Targets Messi During PSG Clash with Inter Miami | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain crush Inter Miami 4-0 as Messi endures disgraceful insult from rival fans

Photo: AFP

A shocking moment marred Inter Miami’s 4 - 0 defeat to Paris Saint Germain in the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIFA Club World cup as Lionel Messi became the subject of disrespectful banner raised by rival fans at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

What Happened?

During the highly anticipated match, a group of Atlanta United fans whose team shares the MLS with Inter Miami unveiled banner mocking Messi.

It featured an exaggerated, distorted caricature of the Argentine legend depicting him as aged figure with grotesquely enlarged ears sparking outrage across social media and among football lovers worldwide.

The banner also referenced Atlanta United’s previous victories over Inter Miami in the MLS, clearly intended as provocation toward Messi and his supporters.

Recurring Target of Disrespect

This wasn’t the 1st time Messi's been targeted. A similar banner appeared earlier in April during match between Inter Miami & LAFC in the CONCACAF Champions league.

Then too Messi was mocked with the nickname "Pessi" a derogatory online term questioning his achievements by labeling them as reliant on penalties.

PSG Run Riot in Atlanta

On the pitch, PSG delivered dominant display racing to 3 - 0 lead by halftime thanks to a brace from Joao Neves & own goal by Tomas Aviles before Achraf Hakimi sealed the 4th in stoppage time.

Despite playing the full 90 minute, Messi couldn’t help his side who bowed out of the competition in humiliating fashion.

PSG now advance to the quarterfinals where they'll face the winner between Flamengo & Bayern Munich, in what promises to be another blockbuster clash.