Alexi Lalas says FIFA are making the Club World Cup “all about Miami and Lionel Messi” after absorbing the Herons into an expanded event for 2025.
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32 teams will grace revamped tournamentEvent set to take place on American soilArgentine icon helped Herons fill spotFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The best sides on the planet, with the most prestigious of honours being collected in recent seasons, will take part in a 32-team competition on American soil next summer. It has been revealed that Inter Miami will be joining 2022 CONCACAF Champions League winners the Seattle Sounders in providing MLS representation.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowAdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
With Argentine superstar Messi on board, the Herons did win the inaugural Leagues Cup in 2023. They have made more history this term by winning the Supporters’ Shield with a record-setting tally of points. Collective sights in Florida are now locked on ultimate MLS Cup glory.
WHAT LALAS SAID
Questions have been asked of whether Inter Miami deserve their Club World Cup spot, given the claims of others, and Lalas admits that marketing has played a huge part in a big decision. The USMNT legend has told his podcast: “I don’t think anybody is looking at Inter Miami representing, not just Inter Miami, but representing MLS and representing the US in this tournament that’s coming next summer as a bad thing.
“But it never should have gotten to that, it should have been done ahead of time. And I know that this was a work in progress and this is the first in this expanded type of club World Cup that they are going to have, even with the challenge that they have. And this is a very nice thing to have, not just Inter Miami, but obviously Inter Miami with Messi to kind of kick it off.
“And in that moment, Gianni Infantino even said that they will be hosting the first game in Miami. So it is all about Miami, it’s all about Messi using him as a promotional vehicle for this club World Cup that needs promotion.”
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MESSI & INTER MIAMI?
Inter Miami are about to enter the MLS play-offs as No.1 seeds. They will get that campaign underway against Atlanta United on Friday, with eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi already in MVP contention alongside club colleague and fellow Barcelona icon Luis Suarez.
