"Messi's Brilliance Shines Despite Goalless Draw in Club World Cup Opener"

In Miami, Lionel Messi drew significant crowds as his Inter Miami team played to a scoreless draw against African powerhouse Al-Ahly to kick off the revamped Club World Cup. The Group A match took place at the Hard Rock Stadium, where fans turned out in large numbers, but Messi was unable to find the back of the net, with his most promising opportunity coming right at the end when a deflected shot hit the crossbar.

Inter Miami will face FC Porto next in Atlanta, while Al-Ahly, supported by a strong contingent of fans, is set to play Palmeiras in New York, where even more of their supporters are anticipated to attend. Despite the political backdrop of demonstrations occurring nearby, the game itself went off without any reported incidents, with nearly 61,000 fans attending and showcasing their enthusiasm for the tournament, which features 32 teams for the first time ahead of next year’s World Cup in the U.S.

Since Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, the team's attendance has drastically increased from an average of just over 20,000 to drawing massive crowds across the nation. Adan De La Rosa, a fan who traveled all the way from Mexico to witness Messi play, expressed the collective excitement surrounding the star player, highlighting his global reach.

The match saw Al-Ahly start strong but miss several early opportunities, including a penalty that was saved. Messi showcased glimmers of his skill throughout the game, posing a threat to the opposing defense, even after recovering from a knee knock. In the second half, Inter Miami intensified their efforts, and Messi nearly scored with a well-placed free kick that grazed the post.

With time running out, Messi made a crucial pass to teammate Fafa Picault, but his header was expertly tipped over the bar by Al-Ahly's goalkeeper. The former World Cup champion came close to scoring again in the dying moments, but his well-placed shot was deflected onto the bar once more. The Club World Cup continues with matches featuring prominent clubs like Paris St Germain and Bayern Munich in the coming days.