Inter Miami opens the club World Cup with an obligation not to look bad

The episode occurred in the Paddock of the Miami Grand Prix of Formula 1 when a television journalist put the microphone in Sergio Busquets, one of the stars of the veterans that Inter Miami attracted by the Surround Lionel Messi in his American adventure.

With coach Javier Mascherano by his side, Barcelona was questioned about Inter Miami’s possibilities during the club World Cup and his response was brutally sincere.

“It is clear that we are not in terms of contributing to the club World Cup, but we will try to participate in the group, to match, to fight and, hope, in the next phase,” replied Busquets.

For one of the three teams in the host country of the tournament extended to 32 participants, Le Devoir does not seem to be dissident.

With an existence that dates back to 2020, Inter Miami will be responsible for being protagonists of the first act of the expanded FIFA tournament by measuring on Saturday against the Egyptian Ahly at the Hard Rock stadium in Miami.

The presence of the “Garzas” was marked with controversy, approved because of nowhere the governor entity of football decided to give the team with more points in the last regular season of the United States League. Shortly after, Inter Miami destroyed the first change in the playoffs that define the MLS championship. And its recent foray into the CONCACAF champions cup with elimination against Vancouver in the semi-finals, beaten 5-1 on the global score of the series.

Will the Messi team be at the top of this club World Cup?

Packing the three points against Ahly is essential, because the Egyptians – 12 times the African champions and conquer their third title in the local league – are considered the most affordable opponent of the key. The Brazilian Palmeiras and FC Porto are completed and will be measured on Sunday at the Metlife Stadium in New Jersey.

The arrival of Messi two years ago in the United States – world champion world champion a few months ago and a sparkling trajectory of 17 seasons with Barça – resulted in full stadiums, mass sales of t -shirts and a higher television audience

But it is not yet perceived that football has been able to make its way as a real mass sport in the country.

The success of this club World Cup, as well as that of the World Cup which will also be played in North America next year, enter this equation.

And a decent article by Inter Miami will help the cause. His fate will depend on his quartet of 36 -year -old players who were colleagues from Barcelona: Messi, Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez. Alba will not play on Saturday for an injury, confirmed Mascherano.

“It’s a nice tournament, it’s an illusion of being and playing it,” said Messi on Friday in a video broadcast by FIFA. “With another expectation when I was in different teams in which I had to be, but with a great desire and a great illusion to be able to compete with the best and try to play a good role.”

Mascherano continues the magic of his former club comrade and his selection: “We have the best expectations of having Leo … Always try to help him, try to generate an environment next to him where he gives us the possibility that he is comfortable and that he can do what he has used to us.”

Before the training on Friday, Suarez said that Idé Miami had the resources to amaze.

“Still in this kind of tournament, the World Cup, Copa America, Eurocopas, there is a surprise team,” said Suárez. “We have the capacity to be able, we have players who make a difference. We hope that this surprise team will be.”

___

Sports in Spanish AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes