Latest news with #JordiAlba
Sharjah 24
2 days ago
- Sport
- Sharjah 24
Inter Miami loses star Alba for Club World Cup opening match
Absence of key players The American club will be without their Spanish defender Jordi Alba for the match, as confirmed by their Argentine coach, Javier Mascherano. Alba joins Italian midfielder Yannick Braithwaite, who will also be unavailable for Sunday's match in Miami, part of the first round of the newly expanded Club World Cup featuring 32 teams. Coach's statement Mascherano stated, "Jordi and Yannick will not be available for this match, but I hope they will be ready for the second match," which is set to feature Argentine star Lionel Messi against Portuguese side Porto next Thursday in Atlanta, followed by the final group stage match against Brazilian team Palmeiras in Miami. Impact of Alba's absence Alba's absence, due to a muscle issue in his leg, is a significant blow for Inter Miami, not only because of his defensive skills but also due to his contributions in attack and his ability to assist former Barcelona teammates Messi and Uruguayan Luis Suárez.
Daily Telegraph
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Lionel Messi chases Club World Cup title after Cristiano Ronaldo win reignites GOAT debate
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News. Lionel Messi will be chasing a fourth Club World Cup title when the expanded FIFA tournament kicks off in Miami on Sunday morning (AEST). Messi's Inter Miami takes on Egypt's Al Ahly in the opening game at Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the NFL's Miami Dolphins on Sunday June 15 (at 10am AEST). Watch every game of The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Should Inter Miami mount a deep run in a tournament long dominated by European powerhouses, it would only enhance Messi's already secured legacy. Messi's CV features four Champions League titles with Barcelona, 10 La Liga championships, seven Copa del Rey triumphs and an international resurgence that delivered both the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup – the one prize that had eluded him. Inter Miami is in Group A with Palmeiras (Brazil), Porto (Portugal), Al Ahly (Egypt), Inter Miami (USA), and it will be impressive if Messi can lead his team to the knockout stages. Messi is teaming up with his former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba at Inter Miami. If Messi can somehow win a fourth Club World Cup, it would shut the door on any debate about whether he is the greatest of all time. Cristiano Ronaldo is mounting a case with his goalscoring longevity, with the 40-year-old winning the UEFA Nations League with Portugal last week to put another trophy in his cabinet. Inter Miami's Lionel Messi kicks off the Club World Cup. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP) Ronaldo is hanging around in the GOAT debate. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP) Inter Miami's head coach Javier Mascherano said: 'The objective is to try to compete to the best of our ability, just as we do in all competitions knowing that it's a top-level competition, that we're going to face top-class teams. 'In our minds it's about trying our best and having the ability to take it one game at a time, trying to give ourselves a chance of making it through the group stage and getting into the last 16. 'So, we'll try to do our best, try to compete at the highest level and if we do that, hopefully we'll do well.' Mascherano was full of praise for the impact Messi has had on the team, the country, and the football world. 'He is the number one and the number one transcends sport,' the coach said. 'They transform sport and revolutionise all the places that they go to. In the case of Leo, it's striking, the way he's managed to have such a huge impact on this country, and we have to make the most of the impact that he's had.' Can Lionel Messi add another trophy to his cabinet? (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) How to watch the FIFA Club World Cup in Australia Catch all the action from the FIFA Club World Cup live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports. A dedicated 24/7 channel will be available on Kayo Sports along with highlights packages, minis from every match and supplementary programming with all the colour and background stories from the tournament. Which teams are playing in FIFA Club World Cup? Asian Football Confederation - Al Ain (UAE), Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Ulsan HD (South Korea), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan). Confederation of African Football - Al Ahly (Egypt), Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Wydad AC (Morocco). Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football - Inter Miami (United States), Monterrey (Mexico), Pachuca (Mexico), Seattle Sounders (United States), TBD (Winner of LAFC v Club America). South American Football Confederation - Boca Juniors (Argentina), Botafogo (Brazil), Flamengo (Brazil), Fluminense (Brazil), Palmeiras (Brazil), River Plate (Argentina). Oceania Football Confederation - Auckland City (New Zealand). Union of European Football Associations - Atletico Madrid (Spain), Bayern Munich (Germany), Benfica (Portugal), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Chelsea (England), Inter Milan (Italy), Juventus (Italy), Manchester City (England), PSG (France), Porto (Portugal), Real Madrid (Spain), Red Bull Salzberg (Austria). Originally published as Lionel Messi chases Club World Cup title after Cristiano Ronaldo win reignites GOAT debate
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
🔎 What to watch out for this Saturday at the Club World Cup?
🔎 What to watch out for this Saturday at the Club World Cup? Sign up for DAZN to watch all FIFA Club World Cup matches for FREE. Today, the FIFA Club World Cup kicks off with the opening match in Miami, where Inter, led by Leo Messi, will face Al Ahly from Egypt. The starting gun goes off for the first-ever club World Cup in the United States, a prelude to next year's World Cup. Advertisement 32 clubs from all corners of the world dreaming of winning the title that will crown them kings of the globe for the next four years. What can we expect today? A party to kick off the tournament The FIFA Club World Cup is underway, and we can certainly expect a grand ceremony before the first match. Miami will be a real party filled with glamour, celebrities, influencers, and most importantly: fans. People from all corners of the world will arrive at Hard Rock Stadium to experience this first match, which will feature Leo Messi, the second major draw of this match, if not the first. Messi, once again in the spotlight We can't deny that seeing Messi in the MLS takes him away from the focus of European fans. Advertisement Since the Qatar World Cup, we haven't been able to follow the "10" in a major tournament, but now is the time. The one who, for many, is the greatest player of all time, will have an even tougher task: competing in a global tournament with his current club, Inter Miami. A group of "friends" where Messi is the star and Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez add a nostalgic touch for those who follow Barça on a daily basis. The true level of both teams Many doubt the "non-European" clubs in this World Cup. It's clear that it won't be for lack of desire, but will they be able to really compete with the likes of PSG, City, Bayern, or Real Madrid? Today, between Inter Miami and Al Ahly, we'll see the first encounter between two clubs that aren't expected to be favorites, but hopefully, they'll have the level needed to complicate the lives of European clubs when the time comes. Advertisement This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA - AFP or licensors
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami Suffer Major Loss
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami Suffer Major Loss originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Inter Miami CF has one of the most talented rosters in Major League Soccer, but it will be put to the test against the world's best at the FIFA Club World Cup—without one of its biggest stars. Advertisement The reformatted tournament, hosted by the United States in 2025, kicks off on Saturday with Inter Miami taking on Egyptian club Al Ahly in the opening match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. UEFA Champions League finalists Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan are both competing, joined by European giants such as Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Inter Miami's group is rounded out by Al Ahly, FC Porto and Palmeiras. Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring against the Philadelphia Union during the second half at Chase Navarro-Imagn Images Head coach Javier Mascherano's roster, which includes his former FC Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, has enough firepower to sit sixth out of 30 MLS teams in the league standings entering the worldwide tournament. Advertisement His job got harder, though, when he confirmed on Friday that Alba will miss the opening match with an injury. Notably, Mascherano also will not have midfielder Yannick Bright available. Alba, 36, was named an MLS All-Star in 2024. His remarkable 20 goal contributions (five goals, 15 assists) even by playing as the left back helped Inter Miami win the MLS Supporters' Shield with a single-season record of 74 points in the regular season. This year, he has one goal and five assists in 21 appearances in all competitions. His presence up and down the left wing has always meshed well with the creativity of Messi off the forward line. Entering the 2025 season, Alba had assisted 30 goals in Messi's illustrious career with Barcelona and IMCF. The combination was more fruitful than Busquets to Messi (23), but less than the number Suarez has provided (63). Without one of the Barcelona quartet, that much more attention gets placed on the other three, making the gameplan easier for Al Ahly. Advertisement Mascherano expressed frustration with Inter Miami's front office for not bolstering the squad with any signings before the Club World Cup, and now his already thin roster is facing the loss of Alba for at least one match. One of Noah Allen or David Martinez is likely to be the replacement at left back. Related: Inter Miami Turns Heads With Announcement Before Club World Cup Related: Luis Suarez Sends Clear Message on Lionel Messi's Retirement This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
FIFA Club World Cup: Injured Jordi Alba to miss Inter Miami opener against Al Ahly
Inter Miami will be without its Spanish international left back Jordi Alba for the opening game of the Club World Cup on Saturday against Egypt's Al Ahly. Miami coach Javier Mascherano told a press conference on Friday that the former Barcelona defender would have to sit out the Group A match at Hard Rock Stadium. In another blow for the Major League Soccer club, defensive midfielder Yannick Bright has also been ruled out of the opener for the 32-team tournament. 'Jordi and Yannick are not available for this game but hopefully they will be for the second game,' said the Argentine coach. Miami will play Porto on Thursday in Atlanta before closing out the group stage against Brazil's Palmeiras back in South Florida. Alba, who has a leg muscle injury, will be a major absence for Mascherano not only for his defensive abilities but for his role as one of the main providers of quality service to Lionel Messi. Also read | Boca Juniors defender Costa gets special U.S. visa for Club World Cup following earlier rejection Bright has delivered some physical presence to the midfield alongside the wily but ageing Sergio Busquets. 'Obviously we would have loved to have everyone fit for this game and have our full roster, that would allow us to be stronger,' added Mascherano. Despite the setbacks, the former Barcelona and Liverpool midfielder said his team was relishing the challenge of playing on the international stage. 'This is a unique competition and we are privileged to be a part of it. We are here thanks to what we did last year and I think it is a huge opportunity to test each other out and see what our level is,' he added. Miami was handed a place in the tournament as the representative of the host nation thanks to winning the MLS Supporters' Shield which is awarded for the team with the best regular season record. However, Miami did not finish as champion of MLS, losing to Atlanta in the first-round of the playoffs while the Los Angeles Galaxy went out to win MLS Cup. There was some surprise when media arrived at the venue and the markings were not yet in place on the field with some work being carried out on the surface. 'Let's hope it is in optimal condition, in this I think FIFA is well experienced but as I always say, we concentrate on things we can control,' said the Miami coach.
