Messi sparks buzz as Inter Miami held by Al-Ahly in Club World Cup opener

MIAMI: Lionel Messi lit up the Hard Rock Stadium with moments of magic, but Inter Miami were held to a goalless draw by Egyptian powerhouse Al-Ahly in a high-energy start to the revamped FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday.

A crowd of 60,927 — nearly a full house — packed the 65,000-capacity home of the Miami Dolphins, underscoring the pull of Messi and the tournament’s expanded 32-team format. Despite several promising moves, the Argentine star couldn’t break through Al-Ahly’s disciplined defense, with his best chance coming in the dying seconds when his shot was deflected onto the crossbar.

Al-Ahly, buoyed by raucous support, matched Miami’s intensity throughout and showed why they remain one of Africa’s most formidable clubs. The game passed without incident despite a nearby protest earlier in the day, where around 1,000 demonstrators rallied near Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.

Inter Miami now head to Atlanta for a Thursday showdown with FC Porto, while Al-Ahly will face Brazilian giants Palmeiras in New York — another test expected to draw a passionate following.

The match capped a festive start to the new-look Club World Cup, setting an encouraging tone ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.