PSG fans in Miami hoping to steal limelight from Lionel Messi at Club World Cup

With just over 24 hours to go until the revamped FIFA Club World Cup kicks off in Miami, some of the city's French residents hope the tournament will offer a chance for revenge against the Argentine forward as they bid for another major trophy.

Opposite one of the most celebrated French patisseries in Miami, the Yann Couvreur Cafe, is a pink mural dedicated to four of Inter Miami's most revered players.

Located in the bustling Wynwood district famed for its stylised graffitied walls, the building's facade features Spanish defender Jordi Alba as well as Haitian midfielder Fafa Picault and USA's Benjamin Cremaschi.

Yet it is the well-known Argentinian on the right that attracts the most attention.

The 'Messi mural', as it has become known, is just one of several paintings featuring the 37-year-old that have sprung up in the area since the World Cup winner joined the club from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.

The 'Euforia' mural in Wynwood that overlooks the Yann Couvreur CaféLeonardo Fernandez / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP

Messi scored 32 goals in 75 appearances for PSG, but despite playing alongside Kylian Mbappe and Neymar never hit the lofty heights he reached at Barcelona and left the club acrimoniously after just two seasons.

His penalty for Argentina against France in the 2022 World Cup final is still sorely felt by many Parisians.

Among those stopping by the French cafe was Thomas Miskin and his daughter Candice. Both were born and raised in Paris, support PSG, and moved to Miami in 2019.

"(Messi) is a hero, but I do have mixed feelings," said Thomas.

"I would say I really appreciate - as a football legend - who he was and all the things that he achieved. No doubt about that.

"But the way he ended up, the story with PSG, is a little bit more questionable, being a fan. Paris is really my club, my city and my colour.

"The current players, I really feel like they feel something for the colours and the jersey. I did not feel that the emotional part was there (for Messi)."

Despite the growing influence of Inter Miami and sprawling images of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner in the city, there was only one club for Candice.

"My dad has been a fan, that's what I was raised on. That's the only team I support.

"It is funny, seeing (Messi) everywhere when you have mixed feelings because there's a lot of Argentinian fans (here)," she added.

Messi's recent statsFlashscore

Yann Couvreur's executive pastry chef, Guillaume Munie,r was also born and raised in Paris and relocated to Miami in January.

He walks past the mural every day.

"Messi is hard for me to talk about," the PSG fan said. "He won the previous World Cup (but) the years he spent in Paris were a little bit confusing. He was not like (he was at Barcelona).

"I still respect him because he's a very famous player. He's one of the best, of course."

Despite his ambivalence towards his former player, Munier cannot wait for the Club World Cup to get started and is hoping to buy tickets, "especially because my team is there."

"I travel around the world for my job, but I still follow my football club," he said.

"It's very interesting (the new format). I like this kind of (tournament), something else to challenge all the clubs around the world and still another trophy.

"I saw the trophy last week here, because FIFA came to take some pictures. It's a very amazing trophy, very beautiful."

Since Messi left PSG, the French club has been revitalised, winning the domestic treble last season and scooping their maiden Champions League last month with a historic rout of Inter Milan.

The lauded team, which features some of the brightest talents of a generation, are among the favourites to lift the trophy this summer, and Candice believes their fortunes have turned just at the right time as they bid to win their first global title.

"I feel like this is really their year and they're coming together as a team and everything, especially with the coach (Luis Enrique), they have a really solid team," she said.

"It's a childhood dream (to win the Champions League)," Thomas adds. "Seeing my club finally coming to that stage and everybody can see how great (we are).

PSG celebrate with the Champions League trophy on the Champs-ElyseesThibaud Moritz / AFP

Thomas hopes their widely anticipated run to the final will help inspire a new generation of fans in the US as they look to grow their fan base in the Sunshine State.

"It's still a beginning. You have a much more, bigger structure with the New York supporters' club. It's a great ambience. You have a PSG Miami supporters' club. It's really small, so usually we just find out texting each other, 'okay, where do we go?'

"Winning the Champions League is the very first (step), and the World Cup for clubs - as this is the very first time this is happening - it's a great way to start.

"It's going to be a great way to demonstrate to the world that already being a Champions League winner, it means something for (this) level."

PSG face a tricky Group B with matches on the West Coast against LaLiga's Atletico Madrid, 2024 CONCACAF winners Seattle Sounders, plus South American and Brazilian champions Botafogo.

"We'll show you the difference," he said. "Paris is the best team this year."