'Means a lot' - Lionel Messi breaks silence after his angry reaction to Inter Miami's Club World Cup draw with Palmeiras as MLS club set up 'historic' last-16 tie vs PSG
Lionel Messi claims Inter Miami's progression to the last 16 of the Club World Cup "means a lot" despite his reaction to the draw with Palmeiras.
Messi wrote on Instagram: "Although we may have won yesterday, the truth is we achieve a round of 8 which means a lot to us as a club. One more historic step, both for Inter Miami and the MLS."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Messi had appeared angry on the pitch after the Palmeiras draw, a game in which Miami threw away a 2-0 lead and the opportunity to top their group. Victory would have seen them set up a tie against Botafogo instead, and Messi was seen storming down the tunnel at full time.
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WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?
If Messi could inspire victory over the reigning European champions, his former side, on Sunday, his Miami team would then take on the winner of Flamengo and Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of FIFA's expanded Club World Cup.