“We are not good enough to compete at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™,” the former Barcelona midfielder admitted frankly ahead of the first match against Al Ahly. A simple, unflattering statement, but one that accurately reflects the current state of a team living in the illusion that possessing a few legendary names is enough to confront the rest of the world .
The Truth About Inter Miami
A 0-0 draw against African side Al Ahly not only slowed Inter Miami’s progress in the group stage, but also exposed a host of inherent problems. A disjointed tactical system, a fragile midfield, and above all, an alarming dependence on Lionel Messi.
The question is: is this really the team that wants to represent American soccer in a tournament that FIFA considers the "pinnacle of club soccer"?
Because, stepping onto the world stage with Messi, Busquets, Suarez, Alba and Mascherano - all living icons of Barcelona - Inter Miami seemed to think that the halo of the past could help them win. But the past is just baggage, not a ticket to the next round. And in a playground like the Club World Cup, where every mistake is punished, that dreamy football is immediately pushed back to reality.
Messi, at 38, is still the brightest star on the pitch. His exquisite outside-of-the-foot flicks, classy ball handling and magical left foot helped Miami escape defeat against Al Ahly.
The former Barcelona star almost scored with a free-kick that hit the side of the net, only for Elshenawy to scramble the ball against the crossbar in the final minute. But the problem is, Messi can't do it all alone.
While Leo still maintains his class, his closest teammates are clearly running out of steam. Luis Suarez lacks speed and is struggling to find a new role as he is no longer a "killer" in the penalty area.
Busquets is slow and vulnerable on the counter-attack. Alba is absent through injury. This squad is no longer fit enough to play at the highest level - something they, with their illustrious reputations, surely know all too well.
Mascherano, as head coach, struggled to hold together a team lacking depth. His admission that “we need to improve in transition” after the game only further showed that Miami were not ready for the pace and pressure this league demands. When the ball was lost, the midfield of Busquets and Redondo was instantly split, creating vast spaces for opponents to exploit.
Coach Mascherano has not been able to help Inter Miami play better. |
What is more worrying is that Mascherano seems to have adopted a one-way style of play: pass the ball to Messi and hope he solves everything. With no clear blocks, no methodical bottom-up play, Inter Miami depend almost entirely on the Argentine superstar's individual creativity.
In MLS, that might still yield a few points. But in the Club World Cup, where teams with character and discipline like Porto and Palmeiras await, it's a surefire way to fail.
The image of Messi having to drop deep into the center circle to receive the ball, then alone control the rhythm and create opportunities is the clearest proof. When losing the ball, Miami has absolutely no defensive structure.
Once Messi is blocked, the whole system stops. And while Al Ahly are not sharp enough to take advantage, Porto certainly will not miss.
Where are Beckham and the board?
What fans find most difficult to accept is the way Inter Miami prepares for the biggest tournament in the club's history. FIFA opens a short transfer window for teams to add to their squads. Top clubs immediately take action: Real Madrid welcomes Alexander-Arnold, Man City brings in Reijnders, Cherki, Aït-Nouri...
And Miami? No new signings. Mascherano admitted he wanted reinforcements, but was turned down.
Everything at Inter Miami still revolves around Lionel Messi. |
David Beckham, as part owner of the club, clearly underestimated the scale and demands of the tournament. A fledgling club with no track record of success entering a globally competitive tournament without strengthening its squad? That was a strategic mistake.
And when Busquets was forced to speak up and admit the truth, it was not only the player's fault, but also the club's leadership's failure to act.
Inter Miami's group is still open as the Porto-Palmeiras match also ended 0-0. If Miami wins Porto, they will have a good chance of advancing. But the necessary condition is that Messi continues to play like a miracle, and the sufficient condition is that Mascherano must immediately find a stable defense system, an attack plan that does not revolve around Messi alone.
Otherwise, they will remain just a “team with big names,” as Al Ahly coach Jose Riveiro once sarcastically said. The Club World Cup is not a stage for memories, but a stage for reality. And the reality for Inter Miami is: Messi cannot carry the American dream alone forever.
Source: https://znews.vn/busquets-da-dung-ve-messi-post1562042.html
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