Messi on a mission: Inter Miami not a favourite but can spring a surprise at Club World Cup – The Business Times

THE expanded Fifa Club World Cup kicks off this weekend in the United States, with a total of 63 matches played among 32 teams in 11 cities.

While much of the attention will be on the European heavyweights like Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Manchester City and Real Madrid, there are many other teams that will fancy their chances of upsetting the odds.

In the second part of this preview of the US$1 billion tournament, BT Weekend takes a look at four clubs that are looking to provide some thrills.

Inter-Miami

The American club co-owned by David Beckham and with a certain Lionel Messi on their roster played in the tournament’s opening fixture on Saturday (Sunday 8 am kickoff, Singapore time) against Egyptian side Al-Ahly at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida. The game finished 0-0.

Inter Miami were lucky to make the final cut at the Club World Cup as they won the Major League Soccer (MLS) Supporters’ Shield for the best performance in the regular season, which meant that Los Angeles Galaxy – winners of the MLS play-offs – missed out.

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner who turns 38 on June 24, is the headline act at Inter Miami. In his first full season in MLS, he was named the most valuable player for 2024.

The Argentina superstar is on a mission to add even more trophies to his haul, and he is one of four former Barcelona players in the team – the others are former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, midfielder Sergio Busquets and defender Jordi Alba.

Apart from Al-Ahly, the other two teams in Group A are Palmeiras from Brazil and Portuguese side Porto.

Al-Hilal

Of the four Asian teams in action, it is Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal that will fly the continent’s flag high. They have a new manager in the form of Simone Inzaghi, who joined just last week after leaving Inter Milan at the end of a disappointing season with the Serie A side that culminated in a 5-0 thrashing by PSG in the Champions League final.

The Riyadh-based club received a significant injection of funds from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and those deep pockets have helped attract players like Ruben Neves, Joao Cancelo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Saudi captain Salem Al-Dawsari is among the established local players in the starting line-up.

Still reeling from failing to win a fifth Asian Champions League title in May, Al-Hilal will hope a new manager in charge and fresh perspectives and tactics will bring them more success on the international stage.

Al-Hilal are in Group H along with Real Madrid, Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg and Pachuca from Mexico.

Flamengo

By far the biggest club in Brazil, Flamengo are widely regarded as the best team outside of Europe. They are coached by former Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Flamengo defender Filipe Luis and they play their home games at the iconic Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Flamengo currently top the Serie A table with 24 points from 11 games. They are also in the knockout stage of this year’s Copa Libertadores, South America’s premier club cup competition.

Many stars have come through their ranks over the years, among them Vinicius Junior and Lucas Paqueta. The current line-up includes Brazil striker Pedro, who is now back in full force after spending seven months out with a knee injury. One player to keep an eye on is Uruguay playmaker Giorgian De Arrascaeta, who has pulled the strings in midfield for the last six years.

Flamengo’s previous best finish at the Club World Cup was in 2019 when they were runners-up, losing the final to Liverpool after extra time.

This year, they are in Group D with Chelsea (England), ES Tunis (Tunisia) and Leon (Mexico).

Urawa Red Diamonds

Urawa Red Diamonds are the perfect example of a club that has enjoyed greater success on the continental stage than at home. The team from Saitama has bagged the J League just once – nearly two decades ago in 2006 – but they have won the AFC Champions League thrice, with the most recent triumph in May 2023.

Their Polish manager Maciej Skorza, who is now in his second stint with the club, has plenty of experienced players in his squad.

Former Japan midfielder Genki Haraguchi has returned to the club after spending a decade in Germany. Captain Takahiro Sekine also enjoyed a fairly successful two-year stint in Europe several years ago. And there is veteran goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa, who is far from slowing down even at the age of 38.

Urawa Red Diamonds are in Group E with River Plate (Argentina), Inter Milan (Italy) and Monterrey (Mexico).