Messi’s Club World Cup appearance poses bigger challenge for Barça
JOAN POQUÍ
The participation of former Barcelona players Leo Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez in the Club Super World Cup that will kick off with its new format in June 2025 is looking very challenging after Inter Miami’s unexpected elimination in the Concacaf Champions League. However, it’s not completely out of reach.
One of the spots yet to be filled belongs to the host nation, the United States. The method for selecting the American representative hasn’t been officially announced yet, but sources from the MLS have indicated to Mundo Deportivo that it’s likely to be the current season’s MLS champion.
Inter Miami, who will face Kansas City early Sunday morning, is currently in third place in the standings, trailing the leader by two points and with a gap to the playoff qualification line. There’s still a good chunk of the regular season left to play, followed by the playoffs. So, there’s still hope for David Beckham’s club to make it through.
For the Fort Lauderdale team, participating in the Club World Cup was a clear strategic goal. Additionally, the MLS had hopes of landing Messi, who missed the first leg against Monterrey due to injury, for the club Super-World Cup that the US will host as a dress rehearsal for the 2026 World Cup of national teams, where Argentina will be defending their title. At Inter Miami, they believe Leo will take part in that World Cup, although the player hasn’t made a final decision yet.
Therefore, the chances of Messi and the other former Barcelona players from Inter Miami making it to the Club World Cup are even slimmer than Barcelona’s, who need to win the Champions League this season or accumulate 6 more points than Atlético in the remaining matches (each win is worth two points and advancing rounds adds one). For Messi, there’s only one path: winning the MLS.
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