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Sergio Busquets admits Inter Miami are 'not at the level to compete' at Club World Cup despite Lionel Messi's presence

FIFA Club World Cup

Inter Miami CF

FC Porto

<p>The Herons will be taking part at FIFA’s expanded global gathering in the United States this summer. They have <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/all-about-miami-lionel-messi-usmnt-legend-alexi-lalas-opinion-supporters-shield-winners-mls-cup-hopefuls-fifa-club-world-cup/blt293f1098b9bdc0f5" target="_blank">accepted a special invitation to that event</a>, with Messi’s presence making them of obvious appeal to fans across North America.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Inter Miami, who are co-owned by Manchester United and England legend David Beckham, have been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/club-world-cup-2025-how-qualification-works-list-qualified-teams/bltac42bd2227f80540" target="_blank">placed in Group A alongside Al Ahly, Palmeiras and Porto</a>. Fans will have hoped to reach at least the knockout stages, but Busquets has sought to rein in expectations.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The World Cup-winning Barcelona legend has told <a href="https://x.com/DAZNFutbol/status/1919118417144971443 " target="_blank"><em>DAZN</em></a>: “It’s clear that we’re not at the level to compete in the Club World Cup. But we’ll try to compete in the group, take it game by game, fight, and hopefully move on to the next round, although it’s going to be tough.”</p>

WHAT SERGIO BUSQUETS SAID

<p>While Busquets is playing Inter Miami’s chances down, Sergio Aguero has previously told <a href="https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/club-world-cup/usa-2025/articles/sergio-aguero-interview " target="_blank"><em>FIFA’s official website</em></a> of a team that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-all-in-fifa-club-world-cup-doesnt-like-lose-anything-mls-inter-miami-domestic-international-trophies-2025/blt9cc09c145aea211d" target="_blank">includes an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner</a>: “We know that Messi is one of the players that everyone wants to see, so it'll be very nice to see Inter Miami compete at the tournament, especially with Leo in the team. He’s going to want to give his all as he doesn't like to lose anything.”</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Messi has won the Club World Cup on three previous occasions with Barcelona - in 2009, 2011 and 2015. His <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-bizarrely-storms-down-tunnel-inter-miami-mls-win-new-york-red-bulls-celebrations-luis-suarez/bltb105e1a97bafb434" target="_blank">game time is being carefully managed this season</a>, which should help to have him firing on all cylinders when another notable tournament gets underway on June 14.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Sergio Busquets admits Inter Miami are 'not at the level to compete' at Club World Cup despite Lionel Messi's presence | Goal.com

Sergio Busquets admits that, even with Lionel Messi in their ranks, Inter Miami are “not the level to compete” for Club World Cup glory.

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