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Messi, Inter Miami Qualify For ‘Unloved’ FIFA Club World Cup

The Argentine looks set to smash several single-season benchmarks in his first full campaign in the U.S. When Lionel Messi does hang

No Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, AC Milan or Arsenal, not even Atletico Madrid. The Club World Cup is without five of the biggest and most supported clubs in the world. But it does now have Lionel Messi… and his five-season-old club Inter Miami.

You could almost hear the sigh of relief on the other side of Atlantic from FIFA’s new Miami offices as Messi inked his spot in FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s shiny new club tournament, a cornerstone of his FIFA competition (and commercial) expansion plan.

It is an expansion that is being contested in Europe with players’ unions and the European Leagues and World Leagues associations saying that it should be cancelled in favour of more discussion with stakeholders. Infantino has consistently refused to entertain their protests or meet their representatives on the issue.

Meanwhile FIFA is hyping the event in the US even though it has been slow to find significant commercial support in the local market. But in a political game of smoke and mirrors, FIFA is charging ahead with adjectives blazing.

Inter Miami have qualified by winning the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield – basically the league title but the MLS peculiarly, and somewhat sycophantically, call it something else.

Infantino was so excited at having Messi at his tournament that he declared Inter Miami will open the Club World Cup in June 2025 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Opposition to be drawn in December.

Messi is a well-behaved outlier when it comes to the inaugural edition of the Club World Cup. While the world’s leading players and their union in Europe talk about burn-out, fatigue, too many matches and too much travel and striking, Messi (who struggled in his final seasons in Europe with exactly that) has kept his mouth shut and will be putting his goody-two shoes forward as FIFA’s feel-good stooge.

Messi – who played about 35 minutes and scored three times on Saturday as Inter Miami thumped the New England Revolution 6-2 and set a new MLS points scoring record – finished the regular season with 20 goals and 16 assists in the 19 matches of the 34-game season he was fit enough to play in.

Infantino, always on hand when the stars are putting on a parade, announced the news during a fan and team celebration following Inter Miami’s final MLS regular season match.

“We all know how Miami is in love with football and how Inter Miami is supported from across Florida and beyond for your exciting brand of football,” Infantino gushed. “Congratulations on your wonderful 2024 Supporters’ Shield success. You have shown that in the United States, you are consistently the best club on the field of play.

“Therefore, I am proud to announce that as one of the best clubs in the world,” he effused, “you are deserved participants in the new FIFA Club World Cup 2025 as the host club representing the United States.”

Of more football significance is that now 31 of the 32 clubs at the 2025 tournament have now qualified. The remaining slot will go to the winner of the 2024 Copa Libertadores final on November 30.

Of the four remaining teams, Argentina’s River Plate have already qualified meaning the final slot will go to either Botafogo or Atletico Mineiro from Brazil, or Argentina’s Penarol. Conmebol have six slots at the tournament, three already filled by Brazilian clubs and two by Argentinian.

The Club World Cup 2025 will be played in 12 stadia across 11 cities from June 14 to July 15, 2025. Unless it isn’t.

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Could Man Utd Get Sucked Into Premier League Relegation Fight?

Could Man Utd Get Sucked Into Premier League Relegation Fight?

Ruben Amorim increasingly has the look of a man with regrets. Since taking over as Manchester United manager, the Portuguese has won just four out of 10 fixtures in all competitions with Thursday’s 2-0 defeat to Wolves the latest disappointing result to highlight the trouble being experienced by the Old Trafford outfit.

United deserved to lose at Molineux. Bruno Fernandes’ mindless red card reduced his team to 10 men with Wolves able to make the most of its advantage through goals from Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan. This was Manchester United’s third straight defeat after losses to Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth.

When Amorim arrived at Old Trafford, there was a chance that Manchester United could have mounted a late challenge for a Champions League qualification place. Now, United is slumped in 14th place in the Premier League table, 11 points off the top four. The Red Devils are closer to the bottom three.

In fact, the way Manchester United is playing right now, it’s not impossible that it could get sucked into the relegation fight at the foot of the table. Amorim and his players will face Newcastle United and table-toppers Liverpool before the end of the festive stretch of fixtures, meaning even darker days could come in the near future.

 

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“The little things stuck with me” – Super Eagles star credits his Father for Christmas charity act

“The little things stuck with me” – Super Eagles star credits his Father for Christmas charity act

Super Eagles and Fulham attacking midfielder, Alex Chuka Iwobi, has revealed his Father played a huge role in his Christmas charity event a few days ago, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 28-year-old opened a shop in East London under the name “AlexPress“, and stuffed it with food and groceries to give back to the people of the community where he grew up.

Iwobi revealed his Father played a huge role in the act, as he made sure kindness was instilled into the family by showing examples even in the little things.

“Even now, my dad, for example, if we’re going to the shop to get a one-pound drink, he’d give the guy in charge five pounds and tell him to keep the rest. When the bin men came, he’d make sure he was awake when they came around just so he could give them extra bottles of water. Little things like that stuck with me.

My mum and dad do that, and even my sisters do the same. We just like to help other people, especially family. Seeing my parents do that, and being in a position like I am, it’s only right that I give back to the community.

“I was able to create AlexPress, a little mini-mart. The shop is like a road away from the primary school I went to, so we were able to hire that for the day and basically invite as many people to collect Christmas food for their families.

So many people were able to leave with a smile on their faces and it makes it easier for them to enjoy Christmas because I know the cost of living is not easy, so I try to help in any way I can,” the former Everton man told Fulham’s official website.

Away from Iwobi, another Super Eagles star, Victor Osimhen, also gave food items and tricycles to locals of Olusosun, in Lagos, Nigeria – the town where he went from being a boy to being a man.

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Napoli’s Osimhen and Leverkusen’s Boniface Light Up Lagos With ‘Detty’ December Celebration

Napoli’s Osimhen and Leverkusen’s Boniface Light Up Lagos With ‘Detty’ December Celebration

Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface recently brought the festive season to life in Lagos with an unforgettable December celebration, Soccernet.ng reports.

The two Super Eagles stars joined in the city’s vibrant “detty” December festivities, dancing and relaxing at a club with their peers.

In a video shared on social media, Osimhen, currently in top form with Galatasaray in Turkey, can be seen dancing to a song played in the club, while injured Boniface enjoys a drink from his cup.

Boniface and Osimhen’s Bond
Both players are key figures in the Super Eagles squad. Boniface, seen as the potential replacement for Osimhen when the talisman is injured or on the bench, shares a close bond with his teammate.

After winning the Bundesliga title with Leverkusen last season, Boniface recalled how Osimhen predicted his rise in the German league.

“Shout out to [Victor] Osimhen because I remember when they [Napoli] won the league. He told me next year will be your turn and it’s happening now. Senior man respect,” Boniface told Soccernet.ng.

Even on Boniface’s 24th birthday, Osimhen took to social media to celebrate his teammate:

“Birthday blessings starboy! Only love and well wishes over here man. See you soon!”

Off the pitch, Boniface values his relationship with Osimhen and recently named the Napoli forward as the most valuable contact on his phone. The former Union SG player has also praised Osimhen for his impressive performances at club level.

Osimhen and Boniface: Big in the Transfer Market
The two Super Eagles stars have attracted the attention of top European clubs looking to strengthen their squads.

Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Arsenal, have previously been linked with both players, and one of them may soon make a move to England.

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