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Argentina Club World Cup Round of 16 preview, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami vs. PSG

The Round of 16 continues on Sunday with Lionel Messi and Inter Miami against Paris Saint-Germain.

Lionel Messi will be facing his old coach in Luis Enrique and his old team in Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday. Messi spent two years at his old club and will now be playing against them.

Inter Miami are the only team from MLS remaining in the Club World Cup and Javier Mascherano is the only Argentine coach remaining in the tournament. Inter Miami have nine Argentine players in the team with Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Luján, Tomás Avilés, Baltasar Rodríguez, Óscar Ustari, Tadeo Allende, Rocco Ríos Novo, Federico Redondo and Marcelo Weigandt.

In the second match of the day, Agustín Rossi and Flamengo play Bayern Munich.

PSG coach Luis Enrique: “Messi is without a doubt the best player in history”

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has stated that for him, Lionel Messi is the best player in history.

Lionel Messi will play against his old manager at FC Barcelona and his old club, Paris Saint-Germain, on Sunday in the Round of 16 at the Club World Cup. Inter Miami finished second in Group A while the reigning Champions League winners finished first in Group B.

Messi was coached by Luis Enrique from 2014 to 2017 at FC Barcelona where they would win nine trophies together, including a treble in one season. Currently coaching Paris Saint-Germain, Luis Enrique spoke to the media before their match. Here is what he had to say:

“Messi is without a doubt the best football player in history, in my opinion. I was lucky to have him in his prime… Which lasted 10 to 15 years, I don’t know how long that lasts.

“His longevity over so many years, competing at the highest level every three days.

“I’ve seen Messi do things in training that belong to another breed, incredible things.

“To be honest, if we want to stop Lionel Messi, it’s not possible to do it with just one player. Because if we try that way, we’re dead.

“We need to defend collectively. Everyone must be ready to defend, everyone must be ready to have, pass, and keep the ball.

“We have to do it as a team, not individually, because Leo Messi can dribble past any player.”

Ángel Di María scores for Benfica in 4-1 loss vs. Chelsea

Ángel Di María scored a penalty for Benfica in their 4-1 loss to Chelsea. Enzo Fernández’s Blues advanced to the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup.

Chelsea had been leading 1-0 until the final minutes of regulation, when the match was suspended due to a weather delay. After nearly two hours, the game resumed, and in the fifth minute of added time, Benfica was awarded a penalty. Di María calmly converted it, chipping the ball down the middle as the goalkeeper dove to one side.

The 37-year-old Argentine played his final match for the Portuguese side, as he is set to return to Rosario Central in the coming days.

The match went into extra time, where the London team took control, scoring three goals to secure a 4-1 victory.

Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica) and Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) both started the match. Gianluca Prestianni came on in the second half but was sent off in extra time after receiving a second yellow card, leaving Benfica with 10 men.

Enzo Fernández’s Chelsea will face Palmeiras—featuring Argentines Agustín Giay, Aníbal Moreno, and José López—in the Club World Cup quarterfinals this Friday, with a spot in the semifinals on the line.

Argentina Club World Cup Round of 16, Enzo Fernández and Chelsea vs. Benfica

The Round of 16 at the Club World Cup begins on Saturday with 10 Argentine players available to play in the two matches.

In the first match of the Round of 16, it is Agustín Giay, Aníbal Moreno, José Manuel López and Palmeiras who finished first in Group A against Álvaro Montoro, Alexander Barboza and Botafogo who finished second in Group B.

Saturday’s second game is Ángel Di María, Gianluca Prestianni, Nicolás Otamendi and Benfica against Enzo Fernández, Aarón Anselmino and Chelsea who finished second in Group D. For Enzo Fernández, he will be playing against his old club.

The winners of both sets of matches will play against each other in the quarter finals.

AS Roma and Sevilla interested in signing Nicolás Tagliafico

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AS Roma and Sevilla are both interested in signing Nicolás Tagliafico.

The Argentine’s contract with Olympique Lyonnais ends on June 30 and the club has offered him to renew but there are two clubs interested in him. According to César Luis Merlo, both Sevilla and AS Roma have their eyes on the 32 year old.

Sevilla have a new coach in Matías Almeyda who will be looking to keep them in La Liga this season after they finished 17th in La Liga last season. AS Roma finished 5th in Serie Aand they will be playing in the Europa League next season.

Olympique Lyonnais have been relegated to Ligue 2 due to financial reasons but might still be able to play in the Europa League next season as they had qualified for the tournament.