Sergio Aguero explains why Lionel Messi's Inter Miami HAD to be at Club World Cup after FIFA were criticised for including MLS club

An expanded tournament, which sees a global crown come up for grabs, is heading to the United States. For the first time, 32 teams from across the planet will be competing for the grandest of prizes.

The majority of sides secured qualification courtesy of major trophy triumphs. Inter Miami have, however, been added to the ranks courtesy of Messi's mass appeal. The eight-time Ballon d'Or has previously won the Club World Cup with Barcelona.

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Some have questioned the decision to absorb Inter Miami into a competition that features the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Boca Juniors and Al-Hilal, but Aguero believes the right decision has been made by organisers.

The former Argentina international has told FIFA of Messi being involved in an event that will help to build more interest in soccer across America ahead of the 2026 World Cup: "Well, I think this is something that is quite important for Inter Miami, and especially knowing that Leo is there, and I think that for the world as a whole and for the fans, I think it was quite important that Inter Miami be included, too, because by now, we know that Messi is… Although it may be painful for some, he is one of the players that everyone wants to see.

"So, I think that it will be great to see Inter Miami compete against the other teams, and especially see the Inter Miami version of Messi, who is accomplishing everything now in MLS, and they won a title that for a number of years, or I don't know if they have ever won anything, and I think that for Inter Miami, and Leo most of all, this new challenge, knowing him, he will try to do his very best because he will not want, same as with anything else, to lose at all.

"And, I think that this calls for caution because you know that when you have Leo in the rival team, even if he has a bad 88 minutes, you know that in those last two minutes, he can smash in a goal, he can score from a free-kick, he can make a play you are not expecting because, ultimately, he is the best player in the world and he is the player that can, at any time, hurt you because he is the best."

Messi has picked up Leagues Cup and Supporters' Shield honours with Inter Miami, while being named the MVP of MLS in 2024, and will form part of the Club World Cup opening fixture when Javier Mascherano's Herons face Al-Ahly on June 14.