Inter Miami CF stepped into global territory Saturday with its first FIFA Club World Cup match against Al Ahly FC — a challenge Lionel Messi called “an interesting competition” just one day ahead of kickoff.
The team faced off against Al Ahly FC in the opening game of group stage play for the expanded 32-team tournament, hosted in the United States for the first time, and walked away with a scoreless draw.
Inter Miami will next take on FC Porto on Thursday, June 19, before closing out group stage play against Palmeiras on June 23.
Messi, 37, who joined Inter Miami in 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, said playing in the new tournament format brings a fresh sense of excitement.
“Well, it’s an interesting competition,” Messi said. “Having the chance to be part of it is exciting. The expectations I have are different to the ones I had when I played for other teams, but I’m eager and I look forward to competing against the best teams and doing well.”
The tournament marks a rare chance for American fans to watch some of the world’s most elite clubs and players compete on U.S. soil. It also gives clubs from outside Europe and South America, including Inter Miami, a platform to test themselves internationally.
“It’s a first for us, it’s a different, new tournament,” Messi said. “So it’s a great opportunity to watch the best players play out here in the United States, and it’s an amazing opportunity to do this.”
For the Inter Miami forward, the tournament’s level of competition makes it especially compelling.
“I think there are huge teams coming from all over the world, and that moves a lot of people everywhere,” Messi said. “We’re talking about great teams, with very important players that people love to watch.”
The tournament is a chance for emerging clubs and players to prove themselves against top-tier competition — especially for Messi, who has lifted four Champions League trophies and a World Cup title.
“It’s a big opportunity for South American teams, and also for teams that are coming up, to compete with European clubs — the top teams, the ones that are at the top of the game, that everyone looks up to,” Messi said. “Like I said before, they have the best players in the world.”
Inter Miami is the first MLS club to participate in the revamped Club World Cup. The tournament promises to be a memorable experience for players and fans alike.
“It’s a great opportunity to go up against them, and a really nice experience both for the players on the pitch and for the fans in the stands,” Messi said.
