Messi recently scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s dominant 6-0 win over Bolivia in 2026 World Cup qualifying.
The 37-year-old has now returned to Inter Miami as they prepare for their final game of the regular season, and their subsequent playoff campaign.
Messi’s current focus will be on guiding Tata Martino‘s side to MLS Cup glory after helping the club win the Supporters’ Shield.
The Argentina star previously lead the franchise to glory in the 2023 Leagues’ Cup, while he also guided them to the final of last year’s U.S. Open Cup.
Having already enjoyed significant success with Inter Miami, Messi is set to be given the chance to lead the club in another competition in 2025.
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According to ESPN, FIFA are set to invite Inter Miami to participate in the new expanded Club World Cup which will take place in the USA next year.
Inter Miami will reportedly officially be announced as one of the 32 participants in the coming week.
The CONCACAF region received four places for the 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup winners, which means that Monterrey, Seattle Sounders, Club Leon and Pachuca will all feature in next year’s tournament.
However, the region has also been given an additional place due to the fact that the Club World Cup will be held in the USA.
While the MLS can provide suggestions for the additional team, FIFA will ultimately make the final decision over the identity of the final CONCACAF participant.
Football’s world governing body are seemingly set to choose a star-studded Inter Miami side which currently contains the likes of Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
© Imago
While the Club World Cup will expand in 2025, Messi has enjoyed success in the tournament’s previous format.
The forward has featured at three previous Club World Cups, winning on three previous occasions with Barcelona in 2009, 2011 and 2015.
In 2009, the Argentina international scored in the semi-final and final to fire Barcelona to their first-ever Club World Cup trophy.
Messi scored a brace in a 4-0 win over Santos in the 2011 final, before he found the net in a 3-0 victory in the 2015 final against River Plate.
Unfortunately for Messi, there will be no Barcelona reunion after the Catalan giants failed to secure one of the 12 UEFA spots.
However, Inter Miami could potentially face the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City.
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