When Lionel Messi brought his inheritance – and the global brand – to Inter Miami, expectations expected. With Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez by his side, Miami’s star -studded lineup suddenly seemed like a team ready for international competition. Cherry on top? A surprising invitation to 2025 FIFA Club World Cupwhere the Florida-based club would meet some of the biggest names in global football.
But with the tournament just weeks away, optimism starts to fade. Club legends and World Cup winners begin to let the alarm. Inter Miami can brag with talent, yes – but if they can compete against Europe’s elite is another question completely.
The first crack in the pink armor came from Sergio BusquetsA man who has won everything there is to win in football. Speaks sincerely F1 Grand Prix in MiamiThe Spanish midfielder admitted that the task forward may be beyond this Miami page.
“It is clear that we are not at the level to compete in the Club World Cup,” Busquets told Dazn. “But we try to compete in the group, take that game after play, fight and hopefully move on to the next round, although it will be tough.”
Sergio Busquets promises that Inter Miami will present the battle this summer: “We are not at the level to compete the club’s World Cup, but we will try to compete in the group”
#Miamidaznf1 🇺🇸
Potted Group A together with Al Ahly, Palmeiras and FC PortoMiami’s path to the knockout rounds already looks treacherous. And this sincere assessment came just a few days after the team’s Disastrous output from the semi -final Concacaf Champions Against Vancouver Whitecaps – despite a new MLS victory over the New York Red Bulls. But perhaps the most sober evaluation came from a man who has seen Elite Soccer from the top for decades.
What did Lothar Matthaus say?
Lothar MatthausThe Germany’s World Cup winning captain 1990 and Bayern Munich LegendDid not ground words in a new interview. He praised Messi’s transformative impact on US footballBut made it clear Inter Miami is likely not to go the distance.
“Inter Miami will do a run, but I don’t think they can go to the final because the European law and some teams from South America are stronger and better than the team from Major League Soccer,” He told reporters via zoom (Miami Herald).
With Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter, River PlateAnd others in the draw, Matthaus predicts that the usual suspects will dominate: “I have a feeling that four European teams will go to the semi -finals.”
The 64-year-old added that the Club World Cup is not a friendly summer tournament. With one 125 million dollar prize poolClubs have serious incentives: “They will play with their best 11. Everyone knows there is a lot of money at stake … and the money is talking in football.”
