Lionel Messi aiming to break FIFA Club World Cup record as he prepares to compete in the next edition of the tournament, poised to surpass the current joint record held by Cristiano Ronaldo and the late Pele. The Argentine forward, playing with Inter Miami, has scored five goals in previous FIFA Club World Cup appearances and seeks to claim the all-time top scorer title during the competition starting next week.
Messi’s Opportunity with Inter Miami in the Upcoming Club World Cup
Inter Miami, one of 32 teams participating in the newly formatted FIFA Club World Cup, will be competing in Group A alongside Al Ahly from Egypt, Palmeiras from Brazil, and FC Porto from Portugal. The Herons, led by Lionel Messi, will kick off their campaign against Al Ahly on Saturday, June 14, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. With at least three matches guaranteed and a potential maximum of seven if they reach the final, Messi has several opportunities to increase his goal tally in the tournament.
Adding to the excitement is Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, Luis Suarez, who also shares five goals in FIFA Club World Cup history while now playing for Inter Miami. Both players will likely vie for the top spot on the tournament’s all-time scoring list.
Comparing the Club World Cup Records of Ronaldo and Messi
Throughout his FIFA Club World Cup career, Lionel Messi has appeared in just five matches, all representing Barcelona in 2010, 2012, and 2016 editions. In these games, Messi scored five goals and provided one assist, helping his team secure the title on each occasion. His debut in 2010 was marked by goals in both the semi-final against Atlante and the final against Estudiantes, securing a 2-1 victory after extra time in the final.
In 2012, Messi contributed an assist during a 4-0 semi-final win over Al-Sadd and netted two goals in the final against Santos. His last appearance in 2016 saw him score in the 3-0 final victory over River Plate, underscoring his consistent impact in the competition.
By contrast, Cristiano Ronaldo has played eight FIFA Club World Cup matches across four editions, scoring seven goals and assisting three times. Beginning with Manchester United in 2009, Ronaldo scored in both the semi-final and final to help the team win the title. Later, with Real Madrid, he provided two assists in the 2015 campaign.
Ronaldo’s standout performance came in 2017 when he scored four goals in two games, including a hat-trick in the final to lead Real Madrid to a 4-0 victory over Kashima Antlers. His last Club World Cup participation was in 2018, where he scored in both the semi-final and final, winning his fourth title in the process.
Significance of Messi’s Pursuit and What Lies Ahead
As Lionel Messi prepares to add to his FIFA Club World Cup goal tally with Inter Miami, the prospect of breaking the record set jointly by Cristiano Ronaldo and Pele adds notable anticipation to the tournament. His consistent scoring in each Club World Cup appearance demonstrates his ability to perform on this global stage.
With the competition hosted in Miami and featuring a revamped format, this edition provides a unique platform for Messi to further cement his legacy in world football history. Should he succeed, Messi’s goal-scoring achievement will highlight the sustained excellence he has maintained throughout his career and inspire fans worldwide as the tournament unfolds.