Footballing icon will be playing his first international club competition after leaving Barcelona
Lionel Messi said the experience of playing in the Club World Cup with Inter Miami will be vastly different to his previous appearances in the competition with Barcelona.
The Argentine is preparing to lead the Herons into the first edition of the expanded Club World Cup. They will open the tournament on Sunday against Egyptian giants Al Ahly, before playing two more group games against Porto (19 June) and Palmeiras (23 June).
“It’s an interesting competition. Having the chance to be part of it is exciting,” Messi told FIFA. “The expectations I have are different to the ones I had when I played for other teams, but I’m eager and I look forward to competing against the best.”
Inter Miami are one of three MLS clubs participating, joined by the Seattle Sounders and LAFC, in what is seen as a significant milestone for Major League Soccer on the global stage.
Messi, who previously lifted the Club World Cup in 2009, 2011 and 2015 with Barcelona acknowledged the magnitude of the event.
“There are huge teams coming from all over the world,” said Messi. “We’re talking about great teams, with very important players that people love to watch.
“It’s a great opportunity to watch the best players play out here in the United States, and it’s an amazing opportunity to do this.”
Clubs from Messi’s home continent of South America will also be coming north to the United States to tussle with the big boys of Europe, including Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Reacting to that, Messi said: “It’s a great opportunity for South American teams and for clubs from all over the world to compete with European clubs.
“Those big clubs are global benchmarks and home to the best players. It’ll be a special experience, both for the players on the pitch and the fans in the stands.”
