Messi makes history at the Club World Cup

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi continued to enhance his exceptional football legacy, leading his American team, Inter Miami, to qualify for the round of 16 of the 2025 Club World Cup, in his first appearance with a club outside Europe in this global competition. The American team qualified after an exciting 2-2 draw against Brazilian Palmeiras, in a match held at the beginning of Tuesday at Hard Rock Stadium, in the third round of the group stage. Despite the match ending in a draw, Inter Miami secured its qualification as second in Group A with five points, behind leaders Palmeiras on goal difference. The American team achieved its results with a 2-1 victory over Portuguese Porto, and two draws with Egyptian Al Ahly and Palmeiras. According to the Opta statistics network, every team Messi has worn – at both the club and national team levels – has progressed from the group stage in all 33 tournaments he has participated in, an unparalleled achievement in the history of the game. This remarkable qualification coincided with Messi's 36th birthday, continuing to demonstrate his significant influence at every stage of his career and confirming that age has not diminished his decisive impact on the field.