How Lionel Messi could face Barcelona or Real Madrid in international competition in 2025

• Inter Miami star Messi could face Real Madrid for the first time since his days in France with PSG
• FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently announced the expansion of the competition to 32 teams
• Real Madrid, Champions League winner and the competition’s defending champions, Manchester City, is one of the confirmed participants

Eigth-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi could potentially face off against Real Madrid one last time as FIFA confirmed his Inter Miami squad will participate in the 2025 Club World Cup, set to take place in the U.S. 

Announced on Saturday, October 19, by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the tournament will be held on American soil and includes 32 of the best clubs from around the globe. With Messi and his teammates, including former Barcelona legends like Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, Miami will compete as the host club.

Infantino made this announcement after Inter Miami's thrilling 6-2 victory over the New England Revolution, where they secured the Supporters' Shield. Messi came off the bench and netted a stunning 33-minute hat-trick for the American football giants. 

Infantino lauded Inter Miami’s recent success, 

“We all know how Miami is in love with football and how Inter Miami is supported from across Florida and beyond for your exciting brand of football. Congratulations on your wonderful 2024 Supporters' Shield success. You have shown that in the United States, you are consistently the best club on the field of play.”

“Therefore, I am proud to announce that as one of the best clubs in the world, you are deserved participants in the new FIFA Club World Cup 2025 as the host club representing the United States. We are looking forward to you hosting the opening match. It's sure to be a great celebration for global club football as the tournament features the best 32 clubs in the world and provides a new opportunity for clubs, players, coaches and fans alike to take their stories to the world,” he added.

Inter Miami will host the inaugural match of the expanded 32-team tournament on July 15, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins. With top clubs like Real Madrid already confirmed, the prospect of Messi meeting his old rivals from Barcelona days brings added intrigue. Messi, who scored 26 goals in 47 matches against Real Madrid, could be looking for one final chapter against the Spanish giants.

With 12 European teams, 6 South American teams, and 4 teams from North America, Asia, and Africa each, the tournament promises to display top-tier talent and high-level competition. 

For Messi, who last faced Real Madrid while playing for PSG, the chance to take on his historic rivals might bring back nostalgic moments for him.

2024 Ballon d'Or: Who will reign in a new era without Messi and Ronaldo?

Previously, TheRadar reported that as the 2024 Ballon d'Or approaches, excitement builds for one of the most anticipated nights in football. 

The prestigious awards ceremony, which will be held in Paris on October 28, promises to crown the year’s finest talents, and for the first time in two decades, the footballing world must look beyond the iconic duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, with neither legend in the running for the men's prize, the stage is set for a new rivalry to rise.