The FIFA Club World Cup comes to the United States next summer, with Inter Miami set to kick off the competition as one of the two host clubs.
The Herons booked their place in the tournament after winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield, with Inter Miami drawn into a group featuring FC Porto, Al-Ahly and Palmerias, with Lionel Messi and friends set to have the spotlight firmly on them.
With Xavi Hernandez excited to see Inter Miami in the Club World Cup, the Florida franchise will feel confident in making an impact in next year’s competition if they can strengthen well enough in the January transfer window.
Yet one player Inter Miami seemingly won’t be facing is Messi’s old nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo.
Al-Hilal rule out signing Ronaldo to set up Messi encounter
Speaking to the press, Al-Hilai CEO Esteve Calzada has shot down the idea that the Saudi Arabian club could sign Ronaldo to set up an enticing fixture with Inter Miami and Messi if the two sides were to meet at the Club World Cup.
Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr won’t be competing in next year’s tournament, with Al-Hilal the sole representative from Saudi Arabia taking part at the Club World Cup, which could see the likes of Inter Miami target Neymar turn out in the United States.
Yet Ronaldo most certainly will not be there, with Al-Hilal ruling out the prospect of signing the Portuguese superstar and denying the world one last chance of seeing the striker face off against Messi in a professional game.
Calzada said when asked if Ronaldo could be signed for the Club World Cup: “That sounds like science fiction. Cristiano Ronaldo is not our player, so it is difficult to comment on it. He is not a free agent and it is not good to talk about players who have a contract at another club.”
Who else could Messi and Inter Miami face at the Club World Cup?
Ronaldo might not be taking part in next year’s Club World Cup, but that doesn’t mean that Inter Miami won’t be facing off against some of the best teams and players in the world in 2025.
Should Inter Miami make it out of their group, Manchester City and Real Madrid are the two biggest clubs that the Herons will want to take on, with Bayern Munich and Inter Milan also two giants of the European game.
With PSG also taking part, though, the narrative fans will love to see Messi take on his former side, with the attacker leaving the French club on poor terms after two years in Ligue 1.