
Will Lionel Messi play in FIFA Club World Cup 2025?
At club level, however, the 37-year-old continues to play outside Europe, representing Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer. He joined the club in 2023 from Paris St. Germain and remained there since.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is set to usher in a new era for global club football. For the first time in its history, the tournament will feature 32 teams from around the world, competing across four weeks in host cities throughout the United States.
Messi's record in FIFA Club World Cup:
Messi has played in three edition of the FIFA Club World Cup three times, all with Barcelona, and lifted the trophy on all three occasions. His first triumph came in 2009, when he scored the extra-time winner in a 2-1 victory over Estudiantes de La Plata of Argentina.
His second title came in 2011, he netted twice in the final as Barcelona swept aside a Santos side led by the emerging Neymar Jr. 4-0.
ALSO READ | Will Cristiano Ronaldo play in FIFA Club World Cup 2025?
The Argentine's third title arrived in 2016, this time playing alongside Neymar; he opened the scoring as Luis Enrique's team defeated River Plate 3-0. Across just five Club World Cup appearances, Messi has tallied five goals—four of them in finals—and provided one assists.
Total matches: 5
Goals: 5
Assists: 1
Titles: 4 — 2009, 2011, 2015
Will Lionel Messi play in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025?
Yes, Lionel Messi will play in the upcoming edition of the Club World Cup as Inter Miami has officially qualified for the tournament.
At the age of 37, he is still putting up strong numbers in the MLS with 10 goals in 13 games this season. This edition of CWC comes 10 years after Messi's third and most recent triumph in this tournament and he will be eager to lead the Herons to home glory.
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NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Lionel Messi Exits Early With Injury In Inter Miami's Leagues Cup Win
Lionel Messi suffered an injury and was removed in the 11th minute of Inter Miami's Leagues Cup penalty kicks victory over Mexico's Necaxa on Saturday at Fort Lauderdale's Chase Stadium. The 38-year-old Argentine superstar forward appeared to be having treatment on his upper right leg or groin before making his exit under his own power and walking to the locker room. But after a 5-4 triumph in penalties after a 2-2 draw, Miami coach Javier Mascherano said it would be Sunday before exact details of the injury and the severity of the setback would be known. "Well, he felt a discomfort, and we will not be able to know until tomorrow how severe the injury is," Mascherano said after the match. "There's probably something there. Maybe not as important, because he was really not in pain. But he did feel a pull." Messi took the ball and dribbled into the Necaxa back line, but he stumbled at the top of the box and ran into Necaxa defender Alexis Pena then tumbled to the ground, pounding the pitch in frustration as the ball was cleared away. Moments later, Herons captain Messi was alone near midfield on the left wing by himself when he went to the ground in a seated position, lying on his back briefly until trainers arrived. Mascherano elected to send in Federico Redondo to replace Messi. Inter Miami won 5-4 on penalties after the 10-man teams played to a 2-2 draw after full time. Argentine striker Tomas Badaloni was denied on the decisive penalty kick in the third round of the shootout while Rodrigo De Paul, Ben Cremaschi, Jordi Alba, Redondo and Luis Suarez hit penalties for Miami, Uruguayan striker Suarez getting the decider on the last kick. Inter Miami Venezuelan midfielder Telasco Segovia scored in the 12th minute, but Herons defender Maximiliano Falcon of Uruguay was shown a red card in the 17th minute. Badaloni netted the equalizer for Necaxa in the 33rd minute to lift the visitors level at half-time, and Necaxa was cut to 10 men as well when Cristian Calderon received a red card in the 60th minute. Ricardo Monreal, who came off the Necaxa bench in the 74th minute, scored in the 81st to put the Mexican side ahead only for Spain's Alba to net the equalizer for Miami in the second minute of stoppage time. During Argentine World Cup qualifiers in March, Messi was nagged by thigh strain issues. Messi has scored 18 goals and assisted on nine others in 18 MLS appearances this season. He assisted on both Inter Miami goals in a 2-1 victory over Atlas on Wednesday in their opener in the Leagues Cup, a tournament involving MLS and Mexican League squads. Miami conclude group stage play in the event on Wednesday against Pumas. Messi led Inter Miami to the inaugural Leagues Cup crown in 2023 just after his arrival with the MLS club.


Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Lionel Messi injury: Will Inter Miami star miss Leagues Cup game against Pumas UNAM
Lionel Messi, World Cup winner and Inter Miami star, suffered a hamstring injury during his side's Leagues Cup win over Club Necaxa. Trainers had to come and help an injured Lionel Messi, who was eventually subbed off in the 11th minute. (Getty Images via AFP) Messi was injured in the eighth minute of the game when he fell to a challenge by a pair of defenders near the penalty area. His team went on to win the game in penalty shootouts. Meanwhile, the 38-year-old Argentine walked back towards the bench before sitting down on the pitch. Trainers came out and worked on his right upper thigh area before he subbed out in the 11th. What the Inter Miami coach said about Messi's injury Javier Mascherano, the team coach, spoke about the forward's inujry after the game. He said that Messi wasn't necessarily in pain, but had felt a pull. He indicated Messi would be examined on Sunday to determine the severity of the injury. Also Read | MLS suspension of Messi and Alba is 'draconian,' Inter Miami owner says 'There's probably something there,' Mascherano said. Will Messi be available for the match against Pumas UNAM? Inter Miami take on Pumas UNAM on August 7 for the Leagues Cup group stage match, meaning the next game is four days away. Depending on the severity of the injury, Messi could either be part of the lineup or out of the squad. For Grade 1 hamstring injuries, one might feel better in less than a week, Cleveland Clinic noted. Given the kind of medical care star athletes like Messi have access to, if his injury is not that serious, he could well be back on his feet for the UNAM soccer match. Grade 2 and 3 injuries take longer to heal from, likely several months. However, given that Messi could make it back to the bench on his own feet and didn't need a stretcher or assistance in particular, indicates that the injury might not be that serious, since he was able to put some pressure on his feet. The Inter Miami-Necaxa game ended 2-2 before the former won in penalties. Both sides played with ten men, since Inter's Maxi Falcón got a red card in the opening minutes, and Necaxa's Cristian Calderón was sent off in the 60th minute. (With AP inputs)

Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Heart-in-mouth moment as Lionel Messi suffers injury, replaced in 11th minute during Inter Miami match
Lionel Messi's recent struggles with injuries continues, with the legendary Argentinian footballer having to be substituted in just the 11th minute of Inter Miami's most recent match. Lionel Messi receives treatment after being injured during Inter Miami's Leagues Cup match vs Necaxa.(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Messi, who has struggled with a series of thigh strain related injuries that have forced him to miss international and club games alike, was only able to stay on field for 11 minutes at the start of Inter Miami's Leagues Cup match against Mexican outfit Necaxa at Miami's Chase Field. The Argentinian superstar appeared to receive a knock as he was tackled at the edge of the Necaxa box, before he tried to play on, only to force himself to the floor due to his injury. He was seen flat on his back in pain before the physio team arrived to offer some treatment. Messi's upper thigh and groin area on his right leg was what seemed to be causing the issue, same as the problem which kept him out of Argentina's recent round of internationals and was a factor during Inter's Club World Cup effort. Inter did score right after Messi's substitution, which saw his countryman Federico Redondo come on to replace him. However, Miami would be down to 10 men after a red card in the 17th minute, allowing Necaxa to equalise before receiving a red card of their own in a feisty encounter. Necaxa would take the lead late in the match, but a stoppage time equaliser from Jordi Alba pushed the match into overtime in dramatic fashion. Inter Miami emerged winners in the penalty shootout, scoring all 5 of their penalties in the process. Inter Miami coach settles nerves regarding injury Messi has been his typical remarkable self this season with 18 goals and 9 assists in just 18 matches for Inter Miami thus far, but this injury at 38 years old will be a concern for the Argentine legend. Luckily for fans of Messi, Miami coach Javier Mascherano sounded optimistic, confirming that it was mostly a precautionary decision with Messi feeling 'discomfort' in his hamstring, but no real pain: 'Leo felt discomfort in his hamstring, and until tomorrow we won't know the extent of the injury…He probably has something, but it might not be too serious because he wasn't in pain. He felt discomfort, and that's why he came off.' Miami are trying to follow up their 2023 victory in the Leagues Cup, which was Messi's first piece of silverware with the Florida team. The current edition of the tournament sees a revamped format with 18 teams from the MLS and 18 from the Mexican Liga MX battling it out for the trophy.