Luis Enrique faces familiar opponents: 'They haven't lost any of their quality'

Luis Enrique is preparing for what he described as one of the most emotionally charged matches of his coaching career as Paris Saint-Germain take on Inter Miami in the Club World Cup.

The Spanish manager, now at the helm of the reigning Champions League winners PSG, is set to reunite with a host of players who helped define his golden era at FC Barcelona Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets all of whom now form the veteran core of the American club. Adding even more depth to the storyline, Inter Miami are managed by Javier Mascherano, another of Enrique’s trusted lieutenants during his time at Camp Nou.

The match, which kicks off at 18:00 on Sunday, is one of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament not just because of the names on the pitch, but because of the deep bonds and shared history between both sides. Between 2014 and 2017, Enrique led Barcelona through one of the most successful periods in its modern history, securing a historic treble in 2015 and implementing a dynamic, high-intensity brand of football built around some of the very players he’ll now face as opponents.

“Emotionally, this is a special match for me,” said the 55-year-old Enrique during the pre-match press conference. “The greatness of the players and the coach on the other side is something that motivates everyone here. If we can’t put them under pressure and that will be very difficult then things won’t look good for us. These players haven’t lost any of their level or quality, even at this stage of their careers.”

Enrique was quick to highlight the enduring brilliance of his former stars, stressing that their football intelligence and technical quality continue to set them apart. “Busquets is always the same player. His positioning, his calm under pressure, the way he controls the tempo it’s still there. Messi on the ball is simply unique, nothing has changed. Suárez what a talent, what a goalscorer. And Alba, he keeps doing what he’s always done. We all know how he delivers those passes to Messi, and that’s still happening every match.”

The PSG coach was honest about the challenge his side faces. “Either we deliver an outstanding performance and keep the intensity high, or they’ll beat us with ease,” he said. “That’s the level they’re at, even now. People who say they’ve slowed down or aren’t competitive anymore haven’t watched them closely.”

Inter Miami’s transformation into a home for football royalty has been one of the sport’s most compelling stories in recent years. With David Beckham pulling the strings behind the scenes and a recruitment strategy focused on elite experience, the club has quickly become a magnet for some of the most recognizable names in world football. That includes not only the four ex-Barça players but also head coach Javier Mascherano, who is in the early stages of his managerial career.

Luis Enrique offered warm praise for his former midfield general. “If there were two players I was certain would become great coaches, it was Mascherano and Busquets,” he said. “Busi will also be a fantastic coach, if he chooses to go down that path. Those two were my extension on the pitch they understood the game at a different level. Mascherano already shows tactical intelligence and leadership as a coach, just like he did as a player.”

The matchup also represents something of a clash of footballing philosophies. PSG, under Enrique, have been rejuvenated with a more balanced, pressing-oriented style of play following the post-Mbappé transition. Meanwhile, Inter Miami rely on possession, experience, and the unique chemistry of a group of players who know each other inside and out from their Barça days.

For fans around the world, the game will be a nostalgic yet highly competitive affair. For Luis Enrique, it’s an emotional crossroads facing friends who once formed the foundation of his success, now united under a different crest.

But for all the sentiment, there is no doubt the PSG coach will be focused on winning. “It’s emotional, yes,” he admitted, “but this is also a competition we want to win. We respect them, but we’re here to compete.”