The FIFA Club World Cup is starting with 32 teams for the first time. Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will participate from the host United States. They will take the field in the opening match of the tournament. The curtain will rise tomorrow morning according to Bangladesh time. Where Messi’s Miami will face Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahly. Messi is going to play this tournament for the fourth time in total, but this is the first time outside of a European club.
The recent performance of Messi-Suarez’s club Miami has not been very promising. That’s why the Argentine superstar may not have announced his big goals. However, Messi expects to fight with his best, ‘This is a great tournament. It will be exciting to play here. However, the mindset is different this time compared to playing with other clubs. Of course, I still have full strength and hope, no matter who the opponent is, I will go out with the aim of performing my best.’
The Club World Cup is going to be held on a large scale with an unprecedented decision from seven teams. This 32-team tournament has a new format and under it there is a group stage and knockout. Regarding this competition of excellence between the world’s best clubs, Messi said, ‘Clubs from South America and other parts of the world have the opportunity to face European powerhouses. These clubs are a higher benchmark in the whole world and the best footballers play there. As a result, this experience will be special, for the players and the football fans who come to the stadium.’
Messi is one of the best footballers in the world. He has played in the Club World Cup three times before. Although he has left the best time of his career behind. When the star, who has won the Ballon d’Or eight times, won the Club World Cup three times (2009, 2011 and 2015) for Barcelona. Al-Ahly, Palmeiras of Brazil and Porto of Portugal are in Group ‘A’ of the Club World Cup along with Inter Miami.
The 32 teams participating in the competition have been divided into 8 groups, each with 4 teams. The top two teams at the end of the group stage will advance to the knockout stage, where the final match will be fought in a series of high-voltage matches. The final match of the tournament will be held on July 13 at the famous MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The matches of the entire tournament will be held at 12 venues in 11 cities in the United States.
Messi’s Miami will face Al-Ahly in their first match tomorrow at 6 am. The match will be held at their home ground, Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami. Javier Mascherano’s team will then finish the group stage with matches against Porto on June 20 and Palmeiras on June 24. Miami, including three clubs from the United States’ Major League Soccer (MLS), is participating in this year’s FIFA mega tournament.
