With the domestic season coming to a close, the FIFA Club World Cup is becoming a key talking point heading into the summer, with many clubs already identifying the competition as a big priority.
All eyes will be situated on the new format of this competition over the summer, where 32 clubs from AFC, CAF, Concacaf, CONMEBOL, OFC and UEFA will feature.
Among the 32 sides competing in the competition, Europe’s powerhouses such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG, Manchester City, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Juventus will be looking to win the whole thing.
With the first edition of FIFA’s new “prime” club competition being played in the USA, one of the biggest questions is whether Lionel Messi will be playing at the Club World Cup?
Inter Miami qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup by winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the team with the best overall record in the MLS regular season.
Their slot comes from USA being the “host nation” of the Club World Cup, joining fellow MLS side Seattle Sounders FC who qualified via the Concacaf Champions Cup in 2022.
Messi’s side managed the league-best tally with 74 points in 2024, winning 22 of their 34 games played, losing just four times in the regular season.
The 37-year-old made 25 appearances in his full debut season for Inter Miami, scoring 23 goals and providing 13 assists in his 1,986 minutes played, leading his side to the MLS Supporters’ Shield.
So far this season, Messi has made a further 18 appearances, scoring 11 goals and providing three assists in 1,491 minutes played.
Inter Miami are in Group A of the FIFA Club World Cup, joined by Al Ahly (Egyptian Premier League), Palmeiras (Campeonato Brasileiro Série A) and Porto (Liga Portugal).
If Messi and his side are to progress to the Round of 16 fixtures, they would either face off against the runners-up of Group B (if Inter Miami win Group A) or face the Group B winners (if Inter Miami finish Group A runners-up).
Group B consists of Atletico Madrid (La Liga), Botafogo (Campeonato Brasileiro Série A) , PSG (Ligue 1) and Seattle Sounders (MLS).
This could set up a Round of 16 clash between Messi and his old club Paris Saint Germain, making for an interesting knockout affair.
With the next Club World Cup being in 2029, this will likely be Messi’s only chance to play in the new edition of this competition, so you can imagine he will want to leave his mark.