Lionel Messi Drifting Further Away from the Club World Cup
After Inter Miami's elimination from the CONCACAF Champions Cup at the hands of Rayados Monterrey, the options for the Argentine star are drastically reduced.
After being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League against Rayados Monterrey, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami find their path to the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States significantly complicated.
One of the options, now evaporated, was to secure a spot by winning the Concacaf Champions League. However, with their elimination, it would be beneficial for them if Columbus Crew were to win the tournament.
The reason being, two MLS teams would qualify for the Club World Cup. Additionally, as the United States has an extra berth as the host country, more opportunities would open up for Inter Miami.
For instance, winning the MLS Cup. Alternatively, if they fail to do so, reaching the final against Seattle Sounders, the MLS team already qualified for the Club World Cup as one of the Concacaf Champions League winners, or against Columbus Crew (if they win the Concacaf Champions League).
Another option would be for Sounders and Columbus (assuming they win the Concacaf Champions League) to play the final with Inter Miami reaching the semifinals. The last option would be for MLS, regardless of Messi's team performance, to grant them the berth by mandate.
Therefore, the only option where Inter Miami truly controls their fate is winning the MLS Cup. And it won't be easy.
