Messi Leads Inter Miami In Tense Club World Cup Draw

In a thrilling kickoff to the newly expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Inter Miami, led by the legendary Lionel Messi, faced off against African giants Al Ahly of Egypt in a match that ended in a hard-fought 0-0 draw. The game, played on June 15, 2025, at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, marked the first match of this historic tournament, which for the first time features 32 teams competing in a group stage format.

The tournament, a massive global event with a staggering total prize pool of $1 billion (approximately 1.37 trillion KRW), is held every four years, mirroring the cycle of the FIFA World Cup. Group A, where Miami and Al Ahly are placed, also includes Portuguese powerhouse Porto and Brazilian champions Palmeiras, setting the stage for intense competition.

Despite being the home side and boasting the star power of Messi, Inter Miami found themselves under early pressure from Al Ahly. The Egyptian club, boasting an impressive 44 Egyptian league titles, immediately asserted themselves with a sharp counterattack just eight minutes into the match. Emam Ashour, Al Ahly’s ace midfielder, unleashed a fierce shot that was expertly blocked by Inter Miami’s goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, signaling the intensity to come.

Al Ahly continued to press aggressively. However, their early momentum was slightly dampened when Ashour was forced off with a groin injury in the 13th minute, replaced by the talented Zizo. Still, the Egyptians maintained their offensive edge, with Hamdi Fathi firing a shot from a corner situation in the 20th minute that Ustari managed to save.

The breakthrough seemed imminent in the 31st minute when striker Wessam Abou Ali appeared to score after a brilliant long pass from Koka. Yet, the goal was disallowed due to offside, much to the disappointment of the Al Ahly supporters. The tension escalated further when, in the 42nd minute, Inter Miami defender Serhiy Kryvtsov fouled Zizo inside the penalty box, awarding Al Ahly a penalty kick. Mahmoud Trezeguet stepped up to take it, but Ustari made a remarkable save, denying both the initial shot and the rebound attempt, preserving the deadlock.

Inter Miami’s first half was largely a test of resilience, but as the clock ticked toward halftime, Messi began to assert his influence. In the 45th minute, the Argentine maestro unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that rattled the post. Not stopping there, Messi took two consecutive corner kicks, directly challenging the Al Ahly defense and goal, showcasing his relentless attacking intent.

The second half saw Miami make tactical adjustments, substituting Thomas Aviles for Marcelo Weigandt early on. Messi continued to be the focal point of their offense, peppering the goal with attempts. In the 57th minute, his left-footed mid-range shot aimed at the top corner was spectacularly saved by Al Ahly’s goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. Seven minutes later, Messi curled a free kick that narrowly grazed the side netting, a cruel twist of fate denying Miami the lead.

Al Ahly responded with their own substitutions, bringing on Hussein Elshahat and Taher Mohamed to bolster their midfield and attack. The match settled into a tense tactical battle, with both sides probing but unable to find the final touch to break the stalemate.

Miami’s persistence nearly paid off in the 85th minute when Messi delivered a pinpoint left-footed cross to Facundo Farías, known as Pipa, who met it with a powerful downward header. El Shenawy, however, produced a world-class save, tipping the ball over the bar and keeping Al Ahly’s hopes alive.

As the match entered stoppage time, Messi remained a constant threat. In the 96th minute, he unleashed a daring shot from a corner kick that curved tantalizingly toward the top left corner. El Shenawy stretched to make the save, and the ball rebounded off the crossbar, denying Miami a dramatic late winner. Moments later, a header from Maximiliano Falcón was also expertly saved by El Shenawy, who was undoubtedly the hero for the Egyptian side.

Despite the lack of goals, the match was a showcase of tactical discipline, individual brilliance, and goalkeeping heroics. Messi’s performance was particularly noteworthy, with Spanish sports media outlet AS’s Eduardo Burgos commenting, “Inter Miami revolves around Messi. There is no other way. If you block Messi, the team collapses. There were no goals, but he once again showed tremendous performance today. Especially the last shot was truly amazing.”

The attendance for this eagerly anticipated opening game was an impressive 69,270 spectators, reflecting the high interest in the newly formatted Club World Cup. The tournament’s expansion to 32 teams and its massive prize money have elevated its status to one of the most lucrative and competitive club competitions worldwide.

Financially, the stakes are enormous. Participation fees alone total $525 million, with European giants like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich receiving between $12.81 million and $38.19 million just for participating. Winning a single group stage match secures $2 million in prize money, while the champion can collect a staggering combined total of over $117 million if they triumph undefeated from the group stage through to the final.

As the tournament progresses, Inter Miami will look to build on their opening performance, hoping to capitalize on the home advantage and Messi’s brilliance. Meanwhile, Al Ahly’s resilience and tactical discipline have sent a clear message that they are formidable contenders in this global showcase.

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup promises more drama, high-quality football, and lucrative rewards as the 32 teams battle through the group stages and knockout rounds. For now, the opening match’s 0-0 draw sets the tone for a fiercely competitive tournament where every goal will count, and every save could be decisive.