Inter Miami to make Club World Cup debut at NFL stadium where Messi made history

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Lionel Messi will be in familiar surroundings when Inter Miami launch their first ever Club World Cup campaign.

The MLS side, co-owned by football legend David Beckham, are one of 32 teams competing at the tournament in the United States.

Inter Miami have taken the single host nation spot allocated by FIFA after winning the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield.

Having been drawn in Group A, they will face Palmeiras, Porto and Al Ahly, with a top two finish sending them into the knockout stages.

This year's Club World Cup offers a prize fund of around $100million for the eventual champion in the July 13 final at the MetLife Stadium.

But the competition opener comes before then this Saturday when Egyptian outfit Al Ahly take on debutants Inter Miami.

The Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida will host them as a venue that NFL side Miami Dolphins have called home since 1987.

Six Super Bowls have been contested at the 64,767 capacity venue, which is also where the annual Miami Open tournament is played.

American football and tennis aside, the multi-purpose stadium has entertained one of the biggest football competitions in the world.

The 2024 Copa America had three matches played at the Hard Rock Stadium, the last of which saw Argentina and Colombia in the final.

Messi captained the former on the night in what would ultimately be a historic occasion for La Seleccion.

However, he was substituted with 66 minutes played after suffering an ankle injury in an off-the-ball incident.

Argentina's talisman was reduced to tears when walking off the pitch and threw one of his boots onto the ground in frustration.

However, after a 0-0 draw spelled extra-time, Messi's despair would turn into elation as Lautaro Martinez came off the bench to score.

The Inter Milan striker netted in the 112th minute to dash any hopes Colombian hopes of winning or at least taking it to penalties.

Argentina became back-to-back Copa America champions with their record-extending 16th title in the tournament's 109-year history.

It was also their third consecutive victory at a major tournament after the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup.

Spain are the only other country to have achieved this and did so by winning Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

Messi will therefore have fond memories of the Hard Rock Stadium when he returns this weekend.

He's won both matches he's played there, with the first being a 3-0 friendly win against Honduras in 2022 in which he scored two goals.

Saturday's match is one of eight 2025 Club World Cup fixtures being played at the Hard Rock Stadium.

After Inter Miami play Al Ahly, they return to Miami Gardens to face Brazilian side Palmeiras.

Boca Juniors play Benfica and Bayern Munich there, as do Mamelodi Sundowns against Fluminense.

Real Madrid meet Al Hilal, with Group D and Group H winners playing the runners-up in Group C and Group G respectively in the last 16.