Messi mocked, MLS called 'sandpaper league' after Inter Miami's Club World Cup humiliation vs PSG

Football icon Lionel Messi and Major League Soccer (MLS) are facing widespread ridicule on social media following Inter Miami’s humiliating 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the FIFA Club World Cup last-16 match held in Atlanta.

Messi’s magic was limited as European champions PSG proved just too good and strong for the MLS side on Sunday evening.

PSG delivered a breathtaking first-half performance that crushed Inter Miami’s hopes early on in the one-sided affair.

The French side opened the scoring in the 6th minute when Joao Neves headed in a free-kick from Vitinha, exploiting Miami’s defensive frailties.

Neves doubled the lead in the 39th minute after a slick combination involving Bradley Barcola and Fabián Ruiz.

The onslaught continued as an own goal by Tomás Avilés and a late first-half strike from Achraf Hakimi completed the 4-0 rout before halftime.

Despite Miami’s efforts after the break, including some involvement from Messi, they failed to register a single goal or seriously threaten PSG’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The heavy defeat has now led to a wave of mockery on social media platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where fans derided Messi, Inter Miami, and the MLS as a whole.

Comments highlighted the perceived gulf in class between European football and MLS, with users branding MLS the “sandpaper league” and criticising Inter Miami’s reliance on aging former Barcelona stars.

Some posts questioned the wisdom of fielding five players over 35 years old and dismissed Inter Miami as a “mockery of the sport.”

Others expressed scepticism about Messi’s ability to influence the outcome in such a high-level European competition, sarcastically referencing the team as “Barcelona Reunited” but far from their prime.

PSG will now advance to face the winner of the Flamengo vs. Bayern Munich quarterfinal, while Inter Miami’s Club World Cup journey ends in disappointment on home soil.