Inter Miami’s Club World Cup Journey Takes an Unexpected Turn

Juventus vs Man City: Club World Cup Decider

Inter Miami go undefeated in the Club World Cup 2025 group stage. Messi’s squad now face PSG in the Round of 16 after a dramatic draw with Palmeiras.

RayWrites
June 25, 2025

Against All Odds, Inter Miami Stuns the World

Group A of the FIFA Club World Cup has officially closed its chapter, and the story it leaves behind is nothing short of cinematic. Inter Miami and Palmeiras progress to the knockout stages, while Porto and Al Ahly pack their bags, eliminated with disappointment and regret. But while qualification alone should be a cause for celebration in the Inter Miami camp, this advancement has an asterisk. They gave away a win… and with it, a far better route through the knockout rounds.

It’s bittersweet. A phrase that perfectly encapsulates the night. How do you describe a game where a relatively new club—an MLS side that was mocked not long ago—goes toe to toe with South American giants, goes 2-0 up, only to throw away the result late and end up drawing? Especially when that draw means instead of a winnable matchup, they now face PSG—the reigning European champions—in the Round of 16.

No One Saw This Coming

Let’s be honest: no one gave Inter Miami a chance. Not really. Pundits predicted embarrassment. Some even forecasted a 3-1 loss in this final group game. Many believed Messi and his cohort of veterans—aging, tired, too slow for this level—would be humiliated on the world stage. And yet, here we are.

They didn’t just survive Group A. They thrived in it.

Undefeated.

A draw against Al Ahly to start things off, followed by a shocking win against Porto, and now a hard-fought draw against Palmeiras. They’ve gone toe-to-toe with champions from Africa, Europe, and South America. And they’re still standing. Still fighting. Still believing.

From Miami to the World – A Statement Beyond the Scoreline

Let’s not forget: Inter Miami are operating under a $5.9 million salary cap. Their competitors? Unrestricted budgets. Free to build Champions League-quality rosters. Inter Miami? Restricted by quirky MLS mechanisms. Yet, they have Lionel Messi. And that changes everything.

It’s not just about one man, though. Luis Suárez, even on what looks like his last legs, put in a warrior’s shift. A goal and an assist. Fafa Picault, a role player, made crucial contributions. The team might be full of veterans with heavy legs, but they’re making every moment count.

The team was two goals up against Palmeiras—a team with a legendary history in South America. A powerhouse in Copa Libertadores. And Miami looked ready to dominate. Then, the legs started to go. The energy dipped. Substitutions were made. Suárez off, Messi stayed on, despite looking visibly hobbled. The gamble? It didn’t quite pay off.

A Strategic Misstep or Just a Harsh Reality?

Could Inter Miami have held on if Messi was taken off early? Maybe. But who has the courage to take off Messi with the game on the line? Even at 39, even when he’s clearly not 100%, he is Messi. He’s still the ultimate trump card.

But this time, he couldn’t dig them out. Palmeiras equalized, taking advantage of Miami’s tiring legs and defensive lapses. A more composed defensive line might’ve seen it through. But this is the gamble Inter Miami faces—balancing brilliance with physical limitations.

From Disaster to Inspiration: Messi & Suárez Lead by Example

What Messi and Suárez are doing isn’t about money anymore. They have more of it than they could ever need. They’re out there because they want to be. Because they still believe they can inspire. And they are.

Luis Suárez looks like a man playing his last match every time he steps on the field. Yet, he gives everything. He knows the clock is ticking. Messi? Hobbled, yes. But still orchestrating attacks, still demanding the ball, still fighting.

They’re proving that age is just a number—if you have the heart for it.

What This Means for MLS

This isn’t just about Inter Miami. This is about Major League Soccer as a whole. Busquets was vocal before the tournament began: “Open up the wallet. Change the rules. Let us compete.”

And look—they’re competing. Despite every disadvantage baked into the MLS system—salary caps, allocation funds, designated player slots—Inter Miami is showing that with the right investment, the league can hang with the world’s best.

This run might just trigger the shake-up MLS has needed for years. Commissioner Don Garber and the league’s ownership groups now have a choice: do they loosen the financial handcuffs and embrace global ambition? Or do they continue playing it safe while the rest of the world sprints ahead?

The Harsh Reality Ahead: PSG Awaits

As impressive as Inter Miami has been, the next round is where dreams meet reality. They now face Paris Saint-Germain, who dismantled Atlético Madrid 4-0. A team packed with pace, youth, and technical brilliance. It’s a tall order.

Fatigue is becoming a factor. This will be Inter Miami’s fourth game in 12 days. Legs are tired. Injuries are creeping in. And PSG? They can rotate stars off their bench with ease.

Still, in football, every team has a puncher’s chance. And Inter Miami has Messi. So why not believe?

A Birthday to Remember, But Not for the Reasons Expected

As the world celebrated Lionel Messi’s 38th birthday, it wasn’t a masterclass from him that dominated the headlines. Instead, it was grit, resilience, and team spirit. This wasn’t the Messi Show. This was about Inter Miami—the team—proving they belong.

And perhaps that’s the greatest birthday gift Messi could ask for: proof that he hasn’t just joined a club to retire quietly. He’s helping shape something bigger.

Final Whistle Thoughts: More Than Just a Game

This was never just about advancing to the next round. This was about earning respect. About changing narratives. About showing the world that MLS isn’t a retirement league—not if it dares to believe in more.

So yes, it’s bittersweet. But it’s historic. And above all, it’s inspiring.

Let’s see what this dream run still has left in it.