The first indication that Inter Miami's Club World Cup opening match on Saturday is much bigger than a typical MLS game was the crowd of international media that appeared at the team's training facility on Friday morning.
Club co-owner David Beckham was also present, another indication that the match against Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium is a Big Game, capital B, capital G.
Despite a roster that includes Argentine icon Lionel Messi and his former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba (who is injured and will not play), Inter Miami is the underdog in Group A, which includes Al Ahly, 30-time Portuguese champion Porto, and Palmeiras of Brazil, a perennial regional champion that features Chelsea-bound teen phenom Estavao.
"There are huge teams coming from all over the world, and that moves a lot of people everywhere; we're talking about great teams, with very important players that people love to watch," Messi said in a FIFA video clip released Friday.
"It's a first for us. It's a different, new tournament. So, it's a great opportunity to watch the best players play out here in the United States. It's a big opportunity for South American teams, and also for teams that are coming up, to compete with European clubs - the top teams, the ones that are at the top of the game, that everyone looks up to."
Al Ahly is the highest-ranked African team in the world, a team that has won the region's Champions League three out of the past four years and has accumulated 155 trophies over its 118-year history.
Spanish coach Jose Riveiro, who was hired last month, makes his Al Ahly debut on Saturday and vowed that his team will be ready. The whole world, and especially the passionate Red Devils fans, will be watching (8 p.m., TBS, DAZN.com, TUDN).
Meanwhile, there will be pressure on Messi and Inter Miami to prove that an MLS team can compete with some of the most storied clubs in the world. It will not be easy, as MLS has restrictive roster and salary rules, and Miami is still in its infancy, in its sixth season, while Ah Ahly was founded in 1907.
"The expectations are very high for a global tournament like this and the status of the clubs competing," Suarez said Friday morning. "But those of us who are veteran players are trying to impart to the younger ones to enjoy the moment and take advantage of this opportunity because a lot of people will be watching us."
Suarez acknowledged that the three MLS clubs (Inter Miami, Seattle Sounders, LAFC) are at a disadvantage due to financial restrictions, but they remain optimistic that they can make a statement.
"We have the roster we have and we know the restrictions MLS has, that it doesn't allow us to compete at the level economically that we would like, but now we have a game Saturday and we are focused on doing the best we can with who we are. There are always favorites, but at the end of the day it's 11 v 11 on the field and that's where games are decided."
Miami will be playing with a depleted roster, as Alba, Gonzalo Lujan, and Yannick Bright are out injured, and David Martinez is questionable, according to Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano.
Unlike Al Ahly, which signed half a dozen new players to strengthen the roster for the Club World Cup, Inter Miami did not, despite Mascherano's requests to sign reinforcements.
I asked why Miami didn't bring in any new players," a clearly frustrated Mascherano replied. "Those of us inside the day-to-day operations at Inter Miami have been saying for two months that we clearly needed to strengthen the team. Not only because of this moment, where we might be exposed due to the injuries we have, but also because in planning our roster, in April we decided to offload two big salaries from Robert Taylor and Julian Gressel so we could have the possibility of making additions.
He reiterated that he has been asking for roster additions for quite some time.
"I have been saying for a long time, I am in charge of preparing the team and coaching the players I am given, and I would have liked to have had some reinforcements, especially in this type of competition," he said. "It is surely the most important competition in this club's short history. I worry about what I can control, and in the end, others will have to take responsibility for theirs."
Mascherano emphasized that Al Ahly is a formidable opponent, and this tournament serves as a barometer to measure where Inter Miami stands on the global stage.
"It is one of the top teams in Africa, a team that wins its league regularly and comfortably," Mascherano said. "They made five or six additions to their roster, something we did not do. They changed their coach recently, but we don't expect them to change their style much. They are a physical team, which is very characteristic of African and Arab teams, and they have interesting players, especially from the midfield forward."
Spanish Spaniard Jose Riveiro, who recently took over as Al Ahly coach, discussed the challenges of facing Messi and Inter Miami.
"Messi is a player who can change the game at any moment, who impacts every facet of the game," Riveiro said. "You can't leave him alone for a moment. He has an incredible understanding of the game, which has not changed throughout his career."
Suarez added that he and the other veteran Miami players are highly motivated, even though they have won many of the sport's biggest titles.
"We have a chance to compete for a prize, and we have to enjoy that at the age we are at, to be able to play another Club World Cup," said the 38-year-old Uruguayan forward. "On the field sometimes it's difficult because of how intensely competitive we are and we sometimes don't enjoy games as much as we should, but we have to. After many years of not having an opportunity to play a Club World Cup, now we do, and that is spectacular."
Messi turns 38 on June 24. Busquets and Alba are 36. Mascherano echoed Suarez's sentiments that this tournament is special for the quartet.
"We can't predict the future, but surely for some of these players, this will be their first and last time playing in this [new formatted] tournament because of their age," he said. "That is the challenge. It is a privilege to be here, but there is no need to put added pressure on ourselves."
Parking, Stadium Rules
Parking opens four hours before kickoff at 4pm.
Please do not arrive earlier as the lots and roads will not be open.
Driving to the match? Prepurchase your parking now to save $10 USD (link below).
The gates will open three hours before kick-off at 5pm.
Fans are encouraged to arrive at the stadium early and be in their seats by 7:15 p.m. ET to enjoy the opening ceremony, featuring Vikina and Richaelio, curated by Grammy-winning producer Emilio Estefan Jr., and global stars French Montana and Swae Lee.
For international visitors – don't forget that there will be a clear bag policy in place
For more information or to purchase parking you can download the CWC2025 FIFA App or visit either FIFA.com or the Hard Rock Stadium Website.
Direct link to the parking here.
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