Messi may 'give a bit extra' in PSG reunion

INTER Miami coach Javier Mascherano is hoping that Lionel Messi’s memories of his unhappy time at Paris Saint-Germain will fire him up for Sunday’s clash between the two teams in the Fifa Club World Cup.

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Miami were surprise qualifiers from Group A after beating Porto and drawing with Palmeiras and Al Ahly, and now face the daunting task of playing the recently crowned European champions.

Messi joined Miami after two seasons in the French capital, and made clear he had not enjoyed his time with PSG.

“It’s clear that it would better for us if he was angry, because he’s one of those players who, when he has something in mind, gives a bit extra,” Mascherano told ESPN.

The Argentine coach was clear, though, that the emotions will be less than if Messi were up against PSG on European soil rather than facing his old team in Atlanta.

“I think that’s in the past now, it’s another story. Also, the fact that it’s here in the United States, I don’t think the atmosphere will be the same,” he said.