Messi's reunion with PSG and the Real-Juve clash: A closer look at the Club World Cup round of 16

It was a plunge into the unknown for everyone. What can this first 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, held in the United States, have in store for us? While the players, exhausted, are at the end of a season with over 60 matches for most of them.

If the first round allowed us to discover unusual teams like Auckland, made up of amateurs, it also showcased the dominance of Brazilian teams that we did not expect at this level.

Botafogo surprised by beating PSG (1-0), and Flamengo followed suit by taking down Chelsea (3-1). As for the rest, the logic held. No major club was eliminated prematurely.

So here we are, entering the decisive phase. And the round of 16 is set to offer us a thrilling schedule starting this Saturday, with two key matchups: Messi's Inter Miami facing PSG, and Real Madrid playing Juventus.

Here’s everything you need to know about these matchups to bet in the best way possible on Golden Vegas Sport and find out who will be the grand winner of this trophy on July 13th at MetLife Stadium in New York.

*Odds are subject to change. Event ends: June 28 at 6:00 PM.

Lionel Messi wants revenge on PSG

This is the allure of this competition. It allows us to see former football stars like Thiago Silva at Fluminense, who will face Inter Milan in the next round, Sergio Ramos at Monterrey, or Edinson Cavani at Boca Juniors.

But the most famous ones are part of the Inter Miami squad. Of course, there’s Luis Suarez, who scored a beautiful goal against Palmeiras. But the main star is Lionel Messi. The man who just turned 38 still has a lot to offer.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner turned the game around by himself against Porto, highlighted by his sublime free kick that helped the Americans get out of their group. And it allowed La Pulga to face PSG for the first time since leaving the French capital club in the summer of 2023.

Love stories usually end badly, and this one is no exception. "These two years were not happy for me. I missed a lot in my children’s lives at school. In Barcelona, I would pick them up, here, I did it a lot less, and I shared fewer activities with them," he had stated.

La Pulga never wanted to play in France

Before explaining that he never wanted to play at Parc des Princes. "As I said at the time, my departure to Paris was not something I wanted. It happened overnight. I had to quickly get used to a new place after so many years at Barcelona."

Before making it clear. "The neighbors bothered us. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen the way they and I wanted. That had a big impact on my state of mind, and it reflected on the pitch. In Paris, personally, I wasn’t happy."

Today, the 2022 World Cup champion "feels good" in Miami. And he will want to prove to his former supporters that they were wrong not to give him the love he deserved. Will it be enough to create an upset against the winners of the last Champions League?

Odds are subject to change. Event ends: June 29 at 6:00 PM.

Juve wants to erase the thrashing against City

In the other match, Juventus faces Real Madrid. The least we can say is that the Bianconeri do not approach this encounter with complete confidence. They have just been heavily beaten by Manchester City (5-2).

"It’s never pleasant to concede five goals, but you have to highlight their quality and preparation for this match. When they want to, they spend 100, 50 million on recruits, they are the best in the world," says Igor Tudor, the coach.

Real Madrid will appreciate the message. The Madrid side is building momentum after struggling in Xabi Alonso's first match, drawing against Al-Hilal (1-1). Since then, they have cruised past Pachuca (3-1) despite being a man down for most of the match, and Salzburg (3-0).

Mbappé finally returns

All of this without Kylian Mbappé. The Frenchman missed the first round due to acute gastroenteritis. Upon resuming training, the striker appeared very thin. It turns out he lost 5 kilograms.

But he is now close to returning to action, although his coach has tempered the enthusiasm of the Spanish media. "We need Kylian, of course. We want him back as soon as possible, in the best possible shape. We’ll see, I don’t want to be too optimistic too soon about what will happen on Tuesday. He’s a top player, one of the best in the world, I hope he will be back."

Juventus, a little less so. We’ll see if "the Old Lady" can defy predictions against "the White House."

*Odds are subject to change. Event ends: July 1st at 9:00 PM.

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