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Why Lionel Messi will not have reunion with Barcelona at FIFA Club World Cup

Inter Miami will face off against some of the best teams in the world during the FIFA Club World Cup.

With the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich all taking part in the prestigious tournament – The Herons have the chance to test themselves against some of the greats in 2025.

Entering the draw in pot four, Inter Miami will soon find out their Club World Cup opponents and are set for some tasty ties next summer.

Despite the tournament containing the world’s best clubs, there will be one huge team absent from the competition – a team that holds a special place in the hearts of a number of Inter Miami stars.

Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi (L), Uruguayan forward #09 Luis Suarez (C) and midfielder #05 Sergio Busquets during the Major Lea...

Photo by CHRIS ARJOON/AFP via Getty Images

Lionel Messi will not face Barcelona at FIFA Club World Cup

Whether it be Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez or even new Herons boss Javier Mascherano, the Inter Miami first-team roster has very strong links to Spanish giants FC Barcelona.

Many of those ex-Barca stars may have been hoping for a grand reunion with their former side in the FIFA Club World Cup – that reunion however has been scuppered by the Catalan side’s failure to qualify for the competition.

The competition’s format only allows two European clubs per country – with Spain’s two slots going to Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

Los Blancos qualified following their Champions League glory last campaign, meanwhile, Atletico qualified ahead of Barcelona due to them ranking higher than in terms of a four-year coefficient score – the same reason why the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United did not make the tournament.

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Who could Lionel Messi and Inter Miami face at Club World Cup?

With no possible Barca reunion on the cards – who else could Messi and Inter Miami face?

David Beckham’s franchise enter the draw in pot four alongside fellow MLS outfit Seattle Sounders.

This means the Herons have the chance to draw a number of European giants as well as the possibility to face off against South American clubs from Brazil and Argentina.

Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4

Manchester City (ENG) Chelsea FC (ENG) Al Hilal(SAU) Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)

Real Madrid (ESP) Bor. Dortmund (GER) Ulsan HD (KOR) Al Ain(VAE)

FC Bayern(GER) Inter Mailand (ITA) Al Ahly(EGY) Esperance de Tunis (TUN)

PSG(FRA) FC Porto(POR) Wydad AC (MRC) Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)

Flamengo(BRA) Atletico Madrid (ESP) CF Monterrey (MEX) CF Pachuca(MEX)

Palmeiras(BRA) SL Benfica (POR) Club Leon (MEX) Seattle Sounders (USA)

River Plate(ARG) Juventus(ITA) Boca Juniors (ARG) Auckland City FC (NZL)

Fluminense (BRA) FC Salzburg (AT) Botafogo(BRA) Inter Miami CF (USA)

Mascherano’s side will find out their FIFA Club World Cup opponents on Thursday 5 December, with the draw set to take place in Miami at 13:00 local time (19:00 CET).

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