Inter Miami Eyes Glory in Club World Cup with Messi

Photo: AP

Inter Miami is about to make its big debut in the Club World Cup, a global competition with top teams from around the world. Just five years after joining MLS, the team, co-owned by David Beckham and featuring star Lionel Messi, will take on the challenge of becoming world champions.

Coach Javier Mascherano said this tournament will show how good they really are as a team. “Nobody expects us to go far, but that could work in our favor,” he added, explaining that people often expect them to win in their home league, but not here.

Miami’s first match will be against Al Ahly, Egypt’s most successful team, which has won a record 12 African championships. Al Ahly is an established powerhouse with 45 national league titles and 39 domestic cups. They’ve qualified for the Club World Cup by winning the African Champions League three times in the past four years.

Miami’s place in the tournament, however, is a bit unusual. They earned their spot by winning the MLS Supporters' Shield, not the MLS Cup, which raised some eyebrows when FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced it. Many wondered how a team that hadn’t even won its own league could be in the running for the title of world champion.

But Miami has always set its sights high, and their journey is just beginning. From the beginning, when the club had no team or name, managing owner Jorge Mas aimed for a global vision.

With Messi joining the team, Miami’s profile has soared. The arrival of the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has not only raised the team’s stature but also increased attention on MLS. Messi’s impact has been huge, and the team has won major titles like the Leagues Cup and the Supporters’ Shield.

Optimism is high in South Florida. With Messi, along with stars like Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, the team is eager to make a mark. “This is the most important competition in the club's history,” Mascherano said, adding that surprises can happen in tournaments like this.

To advance in the tournament, Miami will need to win their first game. Their group also includes powerful teams like Palmeiras from Brazil and Porto from Portugal.

For Messi, this tournament is a new experience as an underdog. "I’m excited to compete against the best," he said. Despite the tough competition, Suarez is confident that Miami is on the rise. “We know how much the club is improving,” he said. “In the next two or three years, Inter Miami will only get bigger.”