Last Wednesday, Inter Miami won the second title in its history by lifting the Supporter's Shield, a trophy that has opened the possibility for the Florida team to be part of the next edition of the Club World Cup in the summer of 2025. An opportunity that, among other things, could lead to Lionel Messi's reunion with one of his favorite victims: Real Madrid.
The club competition, which in its new format will be made up of 32 teams, will have a special quota so that a team from the host country (in this case, the United States) can participate in a special way without taking into account the sporting parameters that are established for said participation. The MLS had not yet made a concrete decision in this regard, although it seems that Inter Miami's recent conquest seems to have clarified the panorama completely.
And the Supporter's Shield crowns the team that finishes in first place in the regular season in the MLS taking into account the two Conferences, East and West, and after a close fight throughout the course, the Herons have achieved the much-acclaimed title after surpassing the Los Angeles Galaxy. For that reason, journalist Gastón Edul has pointed out that Inter Miami would take the league's place in the Club World Cup due to its sporting merits during the season.
The draw could pit Messi against Real Madrid
In the absence of FC Barcelona, other teams such as Atlético de Madrid, Juventus, PSG, City or even River and Boca could be Inter Miami's rivals in the summer of 2025. However, fate could play an important role in the draw and cross the paths of Messi and Real Madrid.
The '10' was the great nightmare for the Merengues during his time at the Blaugrana club, and in the Club World Cup he could face them for the 48th time. The Argentine star has a record of 26 goals, 14 assists and countless memories in the duels against the Whites, and in the United States the great rivalry could live its last chapter.