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Will Lionel Messi play in FIFA Club World Cup 2025?

Will Lionel Messi play in FIFA Club World Cup 2025?

The Hindua day ago

Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, led Argentina to the FIFA World Cup 2022 title before clinching Copa America 2024 trophy in North America.
At club level, however, the 37-year-old continues to play outside Europe, representing Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer. He joined the club in 2023 from Paris St. Germain and remained there since.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is set to usher in a new era for global club football. For the first time in its history, the tournament will feature 32 teams from around the world, competing across four weeks in host cities throughout the United States.
Messi's record in FIFA Club World Cup:
Messi has played in three edition of the FIFA Club World Cup three times, all with Barcelona, and lifted the trophy on all three occasions. His first triumph came in 2009, when he scored the extra-time winner in a 2-1 victory over Estudiantes de La Plata of Argentina.
His second title came in 2011, he netted twice in the final as Barcelona swept aside a Santos side led by the emerging Neymar Jr. 4-0.
ALSO READ | Will Cristiano Ronaldo play in FIFA Club World Cup 2025?
The Argentine's third title arrived in 2016, this time playing alongside Neymar; he opened the scoring as Luis Enrique's team defeated River Plate 3-0. Across just five Club World Cup appearances, Messi has tallied five goals—four of them in finals—and provided one assists.
Total matches: 5
Goals: 5
Assists: 1
Titles: 4 — 2009, 2011, 2015
Will Lionel Messi play in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025?
Yes, Lionel Messi will play in the upcoming edition of the Club World Cup as Inter Miami has officially qualified for the tournament.
At the age of 37, he is still putting up strong numbers in the MLS with 10 goals in 13 games this season. This edition of CWC comes 10 years after Messi's third and most recent triumph in this tournament and he will be eager to lead the Herons to home glory.

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Soccer-Back to the drawing board for Salzburg after CWC opponents change managers
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Soccer-Back to the drawing board for Salzburg after CWC opponents change managers

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino says the FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off on Saturday, marks a historic 'new era' for the game, comparing it to the first World Cup held in 1930. In an interview with AFP, Infantino also aimed at critics of FIFA's ticketing policy and said that sceptics who had questioned the need for the tournament would quickly change their minds. The 32-team competition, featuring clubs from all continents, gets underway with Inter Miami facing Egyptian club Al-Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium. 'It starts a new era of football, a new era of club football. A little bit like when, in 1930, the first World Cup, right, started,' Infantino told AFP. 'Everyone today speaks about the very first World Cup. That's why it's also, this World Cup here is historic.' 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