Lionel Messi's Perfect Tournament Record at Risk Ahead of FIFA Club World Cup
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will play the first game of the FIFA Club World Cup tomorrow against Al Ahly. The Argentine star faces a brand-new competition with Inter Miami since his arrival in the summer of 2023.
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Messi helped Inter Miami win the 2023 League Cup and led the team to win the 2024 Supporters' Shield. The MLS Cup has not been secured so far, but it looms as the club's main goal.
The Club World Cup this summer has become a new challenge for Messi and Inter Miami, and an almost impossible mission. While Inter Miami isn't among the favorites to win the Club World Cup, a record is at stake for Messi.
The Argentine has participated in multiple important tournaments throughout his career for club and country. Messi is a fierce competitor, and he's expected to start strong in the Club World Cup, particularly in the first three games.
Lionel Messi during the Group Stages
Messi holds a unique record for club and country: he has never been eliminated from the group stage of any competition. This includes the UEFA Champions League, the FIFA World Cup, and the CONMEBOL Copa America.
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Messi's teams have always advanced to the next knockout stages. This record is at risk due to Inter Miami's odds of getting out of the group.
In Group A, Inter Miami will play Al Ahly, Palmeiras, and FC Porto. The odds favor Palmeiras and FC Porto ahead of Inter Miami.
Palmeiras qualified for the Club World Cup after winning the 2021 Copa Libertadores. Porto qualified by being the fifth-best ranked eligible team in the UEFA four-year ranking. Al Ahly won the 2020-21 CAF Champions League to be placed in the Club World Cup.
Despite facing a difficult group, Inter Miami remains confident in its ability to compete. Co-owner Jorge Mas wanted this competition for Inter Miami and aspires for the club to compete against elite teams in the future.
Jorge Mas's high expectations for Inter Miami
In an interview with ESPN ahead of the Club World Cup, Jorge Mas spoke about the high expectations for Inter Miami after this summer. He believes Messi will remain with the club through next year and compete among the top teams in this region.
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The Club World Cup will include top teams from around the world, which is a start for Jorge Mas and his expectations for Inter Miami. He mentions the Copa Libertadores as the goal for Inter Miami to compete in soon.
Jorge Mas: "I want to be the best team in the hemisphere, including teams in South and Central America, including teams not only in our confederation of Concacaf, but also others. It's been no secret either that I one day aspire, hopefully, that Inter Miami plays in a Copa Libertadores because it's a tournament that, firstly, Messi has not played in."
Related: Club World Cup Faces Ticket Trouble — Only Two Teams Sell Out Early Games
Related: FIFA Makes Deal with Miami Students to Fill Messi's Club World Cup Opener
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
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