Messi creates career miracle, Inter Miami wins 'huge' amount of money at Club World Cup

Messi regretted missing out on a 2-2 draw against Palmeiras after leading 2-0 on June 24, but with Inter Miami's achievement of reaching the round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, he created a miracle for himself and the club.

Messi has never been eliminated in the group stage of any tournament.

Messi just celebrated his 38th birthday (June 24), he continued to make an unforgettable mark in his entire illustrious career, which is never being eliminated in the group stage of any tournament, both for his club and the Argentina national team.

Messi regretted when Inter Miami drew 2-2 with Palmeiras after leading 2-0 on June 24 - Photo: Reuters

In total, in all 33 tournaments he has participated in the group stage, throughout his career with clubs and national teams so far, Messi's teams have always won the right to continue, statistics company Opta announced on June 24.

Before participating in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, many people thought that Messi would have a very difficult time keeping the above record, because Inter Miami Club was considered the weakest team among the 32 clubs participating in the tournament. They participated in the tournament thanks to FIFA's wild card as the representative of the host country, the United States, and had a modest record of winning the MLS Supporters' Shield in 2024.

Inter Miami are in Group A with two very strong opponents: Porto from Portugal, a team that regularly participates in European cups, Palmeiras, a top representative of Brazilian football and often participates in Copa Libertadores (equivalent to Champions League). And the CAF Champions League champion representing from Africa, Al Ahly from Egypt.

However, Messi led his teammates through the group stage with an unbelievable record of undefeated, with 1 win and 2 draws. Inter Miami were even just over 10 minutes away from the top of the table and a second consecutive win in the final match of Group A against Palmeiras on June 24, after leading 2-0 until the 80th minute. Unfortunately, they let their opponents come back to equalize the score 2-2.

Palmeiras players asked to exchange shirts with Messi after the match, including talented young star Estevao - Photo: Reuters

According to journalist Jose Armando of Deporte Total USA, despite winning the ticket to continue, after the match Messi and his teammates were not really happy, they were very sorry because the opportunity to win the match was in their hands and take the top spot in the group to avoid meeting strong opponent PSG.

"Clearly, Messi and Inter Miami have made clear their ambition to go as far as possible in this year's Club World Cup. In the round of 16, if they meet Botafogo, another Brazilian team, they will be able to breathe a little easier. Unfortunately, they now face a very strong PSG. But this will also be a match worth waiting for, Messi will face his old team again," Jose Armando wrote on his social network account X.

Messi scored a goal at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, after a superb free kick in the 2-1 win over Porto on June 20 - Photo: Reuters

Meanwhile, on another financial front, Messi's role in bringing Inter Miami to the knockout round of the Club World Cup has also helped the team win a record bonus from FIFA, currently totaling 21.05 million USD (more than 551 billion VND).

This includes a $9.55 million entry fee, $2 million for a group stage win, $2 million for a draw, and a spot in the round of 16 is awarded an additional $7.5 million.

This is a record amount of money in the history of Inter Miami received in a tournament, many times more than when Messi helped Inter Miami win the regional tournament, the Leagues Cup in 2023. Not only that, if they continue to shock PSG to advance to the quarterfinals, the bonus will be added up to 13.125 million USD.

" Congratulations to Inter Miami on advancing to the next round of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, the first MLS team ever to do so! A historic achievement and a proud moment for the tournament!" said Don Garber, head of MLS (USA).

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/messi-tao-ky-tich-su-nghiep-inter-miami-gianh-so-tien-cuc-khung-tai-club-world-cup-185250624122137112.htm