Although he did not score or make a goal, Lionel Messi once again proved his value with Inter Miami and showed some brilliance and injury, to achieve his team in a good start at the 2025 Football Club World Cup with a negative tie with Al -Ahly at dawn on Sunday.
Messi’s value was not only at the football level, but also his massive influence on the mass attendance, which was the International Football Association (FIFA) was afraid of it, especially in the opening match of his expanded tournament, but Messi saved FIFA and the championship.
What is the importance of Messi?
Messi attracts huge numbers of fans to the stadiums, and the public presence will be a major measure of the success or failure of the World Cup for the expanded clubs.
About 61 thousand fans of the “Hard Rock” stadium, which can accommodate 65,226 spectators, gave a festive atmosphere at a satisfactory start to the tournament.
The New York Times revealed that “FIFA was concerned in recent weeks that the opening match of the tournament will not witness the presence of more than 20 thousand spectators,” but the International Federation insisted that this is not true, saying that “the number is much higher”, but without specifying the number.
The newspaper continued that the low ticket prices indicate the suffering of FIFA to penetrate the market, explaining that the price of the Inter Miami match ticket and Al -Ahly reached only 55 US dollars, which represents half of the price that was specified last May.
“On the other hand, the cheapest price of $ 230 in January, and $ 349 after the draw was held in December, and FIFA now hopes that these reduced prices will attract the public during an intense advertising campaign in the last week before the tournament,” she added.
The Spanish network “Rilivo” has highlighted one of the reasons that may contribute to some of the public interest in the Club World Cup, and it is related to the absence of 3 of the five major European leagues champions from the tournament.
Giant clubs will not participate in the size of Barcelona, Liverpool and Naples, who are the championships of the league championships in Spain, England and Italy, respectively, in the past season.
Cut the road in front of Messi
“We were very tense and anxious in the first half, which is normal given the context. We were more impatient in the second half, and we played all over the stadium and made opportunities and we could score and win the match,” said Miami coach Javier Mascherano.
“But it is a 90 -minute match, and let us not forget that we suffered in the first half,” he added.
He continued, “It is clear that when we find Leo (Messi) in the correct centers and give him good passes, we have more options and opportunities. In the first half, we kept trying to find him from the first pass, but Al -Ahly was ready for us.”
“When we were more patience, we found Leo. We all know what he could do when he finds the space.”
On the other hand, Al -Ahly coach Jose Ribeiro said, “It was a very strong match, there was nervousness and errors on both sides.
“Miami improved in the second half, and after 60 or 70 minutes it was possible to go in any direction. We have to try to be a little better in the next match.”
He continued, “We initially made sure to block the road in front of Messi in fixed strikes and the second passes after.”