Lionel Messi has made it clear, Inter Miami can go toe-to-toe with Europe’s elite.
After leading his side to a dramatic 2-1 win over Portuguese powerhouse Porto in the FIFA Club World Cup, the 37-year-old superstar shared his thoughts on how the MLS club is rising to the global stage.
Speaking to FIFA after the game, Messi said, “I think they’re seeing that we’re here to compete, and today we competed against a strong European team.”
The Herons had to dig deep in Atlanta on Thursday. Porto drew first blood early, with Samu Aghehowa converting a penalty in the 8th minute. But Miami didn’t roll over. Telasco Segovia pulled them level shortly after halftime, and just seven minutes later, Messi produced another moment of magic, a free-kick that left Porto keeper Claudio Ramos rooted.
Explaining how he read the play, Messi added, “I saw that the goalkeeper was stood in the middle of the goal and he was close to the goal, so it would be very difficult to get it over him. He didn’t cover his post so much, so I tried to put it there.”
It worked. The ball bent perfectly into the gap, and Miami held their lead through the final whistle. The win marked their first-ever victory at the Club World Cup, a milestone for the team and for MLS representation on the global stage.
Messi also took a moment to reflect on Miami’s shaky start to the tournament, referring to their previous game against Al Ahly. “We made some silly mistakes in the first half. The younger players were a bit nervous because it was the first time they’d played in such a big, significant tournament. We were slow out of the blocks but we changed that in the second half.”
Looking ahead, Messi knows there’s another challenge waiting. “Next up we have Palmeiras, a great team, and that’ll be another really tough match.”
Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano echoed Messi’s confidence. In his post-match press conference, he praised the team’s resilience. “If we have a plan and stick together, and if we dare to play, we can compete,” Mascherano said.
He continued, “The way the team overcame the adversity of the match, staying true to our identity, was admirable. Everyone remained committed to what we’re trying to do.”
With their victory over Porto, Inter Miami sent a message, they’re not just here to participate, they’re here to prove they belong. Next stop: Palmeiras. And with Messi pulling the strings, anything feels possible.
