Paris Saint-Germain may be the newly crowned champions of Europe and fresh off a 4–0 rout of Inter Miami at the Club World Cup, but even now, Lionel Messi still commands the spotlight.

After the thumping win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium – secured by goals from João Neves (2), Achraf Hakimi and an own goal from Tomás Avilés – a host of PSG players waited in the tunnel to reconnect with the man who once lit up the Parc des Princes.

Ousmane Dembélé, widely tipped as the frontrunner for this year’s Ballon d’Or – a trophy Messi has won a record eight times – was one of the first to meet the Argentine icon, holding up Messi’s Inter Miami shirt backstage and snapping a photo.

“Good to see you again @leomessi, the greatest of all time,” wrote Dembélé, who played alongside Messi for four seasons at Barcelona. “I hope you continue to make history with @intermiamicf like in this World Club.”

Also among the well-wishers: Messi’s former PSG teammates Gianluigi Donnarumma, Presnel Kimpembe, and PSG boss Luis Enrique – who managed Messi at Barcelona during one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.

The pair worked together between 2014 and 2017, winning two La Liga titles, three Copa del Reys, the Champions League, and the Club World Cup – a golden era for both club and player.

One PSG player who didn’t get a post-match moment was Lucas Beraldo, but that didn’t stop him from savouring the occasion.

“Leo is a unique person. Sharing a game with him was magnificent,” said the young Brazilian.
“I was a kid watching his magic on TV, so it’s unique.”

Even in a one-sided result, it was clear – when Messi’s in the building, everything else is just a sideshow.