Messi 'eager' to lead Inter Miami at expanded FIFA Club World Cup

Lionel Messi said his expectations for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States will be different to those at past editions when he participated with former club Barcelona.

The Inter Miami captain was part of the Barcelona teams that won the competition in 2009, 2011, 2015.

This year's tournament, which kicks off on Saturday, features an expanded 32-team format and will be played over four weeks in 11 U.S. cities.

"Having the chance to be part of it is exciting," Messi told FIFA on Friday. "The expectations I have are different to the ones I had when I played for other teams, but I'm eager and I look forward to competing against the best [teams] and doing well."

Inter Miami will begin its campaign against Al Ahly at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday before also facing Palmeiras and Porto in the group stage.

Messi said the involvement of clubs from each of FIFA's six confederations would offer a unique experience for players and fans.

"I think there are huge teams coming from all over the world and that moves a lot of people everywhere," the 37-year-old said.

"We're talking about great teams, with very important players that people love to watch. It's a first for us, it's a different, new tournament. So it's a great opportunity to watch the best players play out here in the United States, and it's an amazing opportunity to do this."

The Argentina international forward said European clubs would be the title favorites but did not discount teams from other regions.

"It's a big opportunity for South American teams, and also for teams that are coming up, to compete with European clubs - the top teams, the ones that are at the top of the game, that everyone looks up to. Like I said before, they have the best players in the world.

"It's a great opportunity to go up against them, and a really nice experience both for the players on the pitch and for the fans in the stands." Enditem