"It’s all about Messi" - Pundit on FIFA's decision to include Inter Miami in the 2025 Club World Cup

USMNT legend and pundit Alexi Lalas has hit out at FIFA for their decision to include Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in next summer's FIFA Club World Cup. The Herons have made the list of teams to feature in the first expanded version of the tournament, which will take place in the USA.

After Inter Miami were presented with the Supporters' Shield in the 2024 MLS season, FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced that they will be at the Club World Cup. Gerardo Martino's side had a record-breaking season in the MLS, setting a new points record in the regular season while losing the joint-least games in league history.

Alexi Lalas spoke on his State of the Union podcast FIFA's decision to include the Herons in the tournament. He pointed out that it was a marketing gimmick to leverage on the name and brand of the club and Lionel Messi to bring traction to the tournament.

"I don’t think anybody is looking at Inter Miami representing, not just Inter Miami, but representing MLS and representing the US in this tournament that’s coming next summer as a bad thing," Lalas said (via GOAL).

"But it never should have gotten to that, it should have been done ahead of time. And I know that this was a work in progress and this is the first in this expanded type of club World Cup that they are going to have, even with the challenge that they have. And this is a very nice thing to have, not just Inter Miami, but obviously Inter Miami with Messi to kind of kick it off."

"And in that moment, Gianni Infantino even said that they will be hosting the first game in Miami. So it is all about Miami, it’s all about Messi using him as a promotional vehicle for this club World Cup that needs promotion."

Martino's side have qualified as hosts of the tournament, having won the regular season title in the MLS. Similarly, Al-Ittihad featured in the last edition of the tournament, which took place in Saudi Arabia, as hosts.

The Herons will be joined by CONCACAF Champions League winners Seattle Sounders as representatives of the MLS in the tournament. The likes of Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez will return to the competition for the first time in a decade.

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami will face Atlanta United in MLS playoffs

Atlanta United will begin their 2024 MLS playoff first round with a trip to face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in Florida. The Five Stripes overcame Montreal Impact to secure passage into the first round of the playoffs.

Atlanta United faced Montreal Impact in a one-off match for a place in the playoffs, and they secured a 5-4 penalty shootout win after the game ended 2-2 in regulation time. They will be hopeful of pulling off an upset against the number one seeds, having won one and drawn one of two meetings in the regular season.

The Herons are firm favorites to go all the way in the playoffs on the back of their impressive form during the regular season. They will be keen to begin with a win when they face Atlanta United on Friday, October 25, in their first-ever home playoff game.