Despite enjoying home-field advantage, Inter Miami weren’t favored to advance out of Group A in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, which also featured Palmeiras, Porto, and Al Ahly. However, Lionel Messi and company have emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest surprises, clinching a spot in the Round of 16.
Under head coach Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami went unbeaten in the group stage, making history with a win over UEFA side Porto and nearly topping the group after going two goals up on Palmeiras before settling for a draw. The result left them in second place but firmly in contention.
This Sunday, Inter Miami will face Paris Saint-Germain at Mercedes–Benz Stadium in Atlanta in one of the toughest possible matchups. Whether or not they advance, the MLS side has already proven it can compete with global powerhouses.
Ahead of that high-stakes clash, former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praised Messi’s influence on the team’s performance and his role as a key figure in the Club World Cup.
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group A match against Porto. (Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Wenger, widely credited with shaping one of the Premier League’s greatest teams, explained why Messi, even in the twilight of his career, continues to stand out among the world’s elite — including names like Vinícius Jr., Ousmane Dembele, Erling Haaland, and Michael Olise.
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“There’s a discussion that defines the difference between the best player in the tournament and the most influential,” Wenger said in an interview with journalist Jose Armando. “Lionel Messi doesn’t have the best stats in this tournament, but without a doubt, he is the most influential. Without him, Inter Miami would never have qualified”.
“So there’s a big difference. Michael Olise has the best numbers in the tournament and has played excellent matches, but Bayern Munich would still qualify without him. Inter Miami would not without Messi,” he added.
Kylian Mbappe: The tournament’s biggest absence
Among the top stars expected to shine at FIFA’s first 32-team Club World Cup, Kylian Mbappe’s absence has been one of the biggest surprises. The French forward, part of Real Madrid’s squad, has yet to play a single minute in the group stage.
Mbappe suffered a severe bout of gastroenteritis shortly after the Spanish side arrived in the United States — an illness that even required hospitalization. Although he rejoined training a day before Real Madrid’s final group-stage match against RB Salzburg, manager Xabi Alonso opted not to risk him.
