What Happened
The eight-time Ballon d`Or winner, Lionel Messi, is part of the Inter Miami squad competing in the FIFA Club World Cup, hosted in the United States. His team received a special invitation to participate in this global tournament and has successfully advanced to the Round of 16.
The Bigger Picture
Inter Miami navigated the group stage without a single defeat, securing points in matches against Al Ahly, Porto, and Palmeiras. A notable moment saw Messi score a fantastic free-kick against their Portuguese opponents, helping the MLS team secure a hard-fought victory and a significant result.
Did You Know
The Argentine superstar is now getting ready for the knockout phase of the competition. This is a familiar situation for the 38-year-old throughout his illustrious career. Remarkably, Messi has never failed to progress beyond the group stage in any domestic or international tournament he has ever played in.
Tell Me More
This exceptional record includes consistently advancing from the group stages of the World Cup and Copa America with Argentina, as well as reaching the latter stages of the Champions League during his time at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
What Next for Messi
By qualifying for the next round, Inter Miami has helped ensure that this flawless aspect of Messi`s career continues unbroken. His record of successfully navigating group stages now stands at 33 successes and counting. His next match in the Club World Cup is anticipated to be a reunion clash against his former club, PSG, scheduled to be held in Atlanta this Sunday.
