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Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
Sport
Hafsa Adil

Empty stadiums, mismatched teams: Key talking points at FIFA Club World Cup

Two Chelsea supporters sit in an empty stand during their team's FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match against Los Angeles FC at the Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, US [Paul Ellis/AFP]

When the FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) opened on Saturday, Lionel Messi, arguably the world’s greatest footballer, weaved his magic on the field as a cluster of former stars – David Beckham, Ronaldo, Kaka, Bebeto, Roberto Baggio and Javier Zanetti – watched on from their VIP seats at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

While Messi was unable to score any goals in Inter Miami’s 0-0 draw against Egyptian club Al Ahly, football fans turned up in their thousands to watch the Argentinian lead his team in what could have been a goal-fest for the home side.

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