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Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the Club World Cup

The Club World Cup may not have the same prominence as other competitions in football, but it is an important event for clubs from outside of Europe. It gives them an opportunity to compete against the best teams in the world and boosts their profile.

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami have qualified for the tournament, which means that Cristiano Ronaldo face him on the big stage. That would create an exciting rivalry and add extra buzz to the tournament.

The 2025 Club World Cup

There is some concern from clubs and domestic leagues that the new tournament will put pressure on an already bloated football calendar. The Club World Cup takes place in the summer window that is usually used by international tournaments like Euros and the World Cup, meaning prominent European teams could have just one summer off in four years. The players’ union FIFPRO has even written a workload paper calling for at least three weeks of holiday each season.

But FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino remains committed to the revamped Club World Cup, which will have a total of 12 stadiums hosting games. Inter Miami, who won the MLS Supporters’ Shield this year, have been confirmed as the hosts and will take one of the four CONMEBOL spots. The other will be decided by the winner of November’s Copa Libertadores final between River Plate and Olimpia. The other three continental slots will be filled by the best performing teams in the Champions League over a four-year period, while 12 European sides – including Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid - will qualify through rankings.

The Expanded Format

The Club World Cup is set to expand to a full-blown 32-team tournament from 2025 onwards, but how will it work? The revamped event will take place in the summer, during a key offseason for many leagues.

That means the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Pep Guardiola could all be participating in the tournament together. The tournament will feature eight groups of four teams, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout stage.

However, the new format has drawn criticism from clubs and domestic leagues that it will clog up the calendar. That is particularly true in Europe, where elite players often have to navigate a crowded fixture list that includes multiple European and international competitions. That’s why a complaint filed by the Professional Footballers' Association and the European Leagues has brought attention to the issue. Despite the complaints, FIFA remains committed to the revamped event.

The Rivalry Between Messi and Ronaldo

The rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has defined a generation of football. These two legends have battled for countless trophies and personal accolades. However, their feud may have reached its end as both players have now left Europe to take on new challenges.

Both Messi and Ronaldo have a long history with FIFA’s Club World Cup tournament. The Argentine and Portuguese have played against each other in the competition on six occasions.

With Al Nassr’s failure to qualify for the tournament, it looks like we won’t get to see the duo face off in this edition. Nonetheless, the competition offers clubs from South America, Africa, and Asia the chance to compete with top European teams, increasing their visibility and development opportunities. This, in turn, makes it a tournament that will surely be supported by many clubs across the globe. This could set the stage for a future encounter between Messi and Ronaldo in a non-European setting.

Inter Miami’s Qualification

The 2025 Club World Cup is one of the most anticipated tournaments on the calendar. The competition features the top seven continental champions and a special guest team. It is also set to be held at a number of prestigious stadiums, including Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the most legendary rivals in football history. The pair have fought for glory for decades and have broken numerous records in their pursuit of success. However, a meeting between the two isn’t always possible as their clubs compete on different continents.

But, thanks to FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s decision to invite Inter Miami to the tournament, fans might be able to witness their storied rivalry resume on the global stage. Infantino’s move is a controversial one, as it bypasses the tradition of inviting the MLS champion to the event. Cynics believe that the decision was made purely to ensure that Messi would participate in the tournament.