“As one of the best clubs in the world, you are deserved participants in the new FIFA Club World Cup 2025,” Infantino announced. Fifa later explained in a statement that Inter Miami won the place “on the basis of the club’s outstanding and consistent 34-match campaign.”

As the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield winner, Inter Miami earned a place in the 2025 Club World Cup as a host country representative. That, in turn, means Messi will be taking part in a FIFA tournament this summer, albeit one where he isn't representing Argentina.