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Lionel Messi is set to make an appearance in the FIFA Club World Cup with his Inter Miami team after their MLS Supporters' Shield triumph. The Herons will end the 2024 MLS regular season with the best record in the league, confirming this with a 3-2 win over Columbus Crew on Wednesday (October 2).
The revamped Club World Cup is set to take place in the USA in June 2025, warranting the participation of at least one team as hosts from the country. Seattle Sounders already qualified for the tournament by virtue of the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League win.
Inter Miami have been by far the best team in the MLS this year, and this statement has been backed up by their Supporters' Shield triumph. Gerardo Martino's side have picked up 68 points from their 32 games in the league this season and hold an unassailable seven-point lead with two games to play.
Journalist Ben Jacobs has reported that Messi's side are set to be confirmed as the representatives of the USA for the tournament following their triumph in the MLS regular season. The @AlbicelesteTalk handle on X shared the information in their tweet, indicating that Lionel Messi will make a return to the Club World Cup, having last appeared and won the competition while with Barcelona in 2015.
They wrote:
"Leo Messi's Inter Miami are set to qualify for the Club World Cup after beating Columbus Crew to win the MLS Supporters' Shield. @JacobsBen"
Messi has played five games in the FIFA Club World Cup in his career, scoring five goals and providing an assist. He won the tournament thrice, in 2009, 2011, and 2015.
Considerations were put in place for the MLS Cup winners to be the representative after the conclusion of the playoffs. The final of the MLS Cup, however, will take place on December 7, a time which will come after the draw for the Club World Cup would have been conducted.
Inter Miami remain in the hunt for the MLS Cup and enter the playoffs as one of the favorites. Their participation in the Club World Cup may be confirmed in the coming weeks, before the commencement of the playoffs.
Lionel Messi extends impressive trophy record in Inter Miami triumph
Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi extended his record as the most decorated player in the history of football by helping his club to another piece of silverware. The Herons won the MLS Supporters' Shield after an impressive 2024 season, which may end with them breaking the league's points record.
Messi arrived in South Florida in the summer of 2023 and quickly got down to work, leading the side to a first-ever title in the Leagues Cup weeks later. The Argentine great has continued to win trophies since then, with the Supporters' Shield taking him to 46 trophies in his career.
Inter Miami have undergone a world of change since Lionel Messi pulled up in the MLS last year, winning their first two trophies in that time. The club is also in the hunt for the MLS Cup, which is awarded to the side that wins the playoffs in December.
