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Sergio Aguero has backed Lionel Messi to star at the Club World Cup, as he targets Cristiano Ronaldo in the competition record books. The Argentine superstar is gearing up to take part in the revamped FIFA showpiece with Inter Miami, which kicks off on Sunday, June 15. Messi's side will be of 32 teams from across the globe competing in the new-format summer showpiece in the United States. The Premier League will be represented by Manchester City and Chelsea, with the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich also set to play in the elite tournament. But Inter's participation has raised a few eyebrows, having booked their spot at the month-long event in controversial fashion. Most sides secured qualification based on their performances in their continent's premier competitions - such as the UEFA Champions League or the Concacaf Champions Cup, but this hasn't been the case for the Herons. David Beckham's franchise were awarded the host country spot after winning the MLS Supporters' Shield, despite this being expected to be reserved for the domestic champions - MLS Cup winners LA Galaxy. And while the decision has drawn criticism, Messi's former Argentina teammate Sergio Aguero has claimed it was essential for the football icon to be involved in the prestigious tournament. The Manchester City icon explained that FIFA's decision to invite Messi and Inter to take part will boost the event's popularity and audience, especially ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the US. He said of the Miami outfit's participation: "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, 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 [they hadn’t], or I don't know if they have ever won anything. " Messi is a three-time Club World Cup champion, having won the competition in its old format with Barcelona in 2009, 2011 and 2015. And while his peak years may now be behind him, Aguero insisted the 37-year-old is still more than capable of deciding games for his club side on the world stage. He continued: “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 is not the only football superstar bidding for glory at the Club World Cup, with the likes of Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele all in action too. However, one standout name who will not be taking part is long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, whose club side Al Nassr failed to qualify. And the Portugal star's absence provides Messi with a unique opportunity to surpass his old adversary in the record books. Ronaldo is a four-time winner at the intercontinental tournament, having tasted glory with both Manchester United and Real Madrid in 2008, 2014, 2016 and 2017. He has netted a total of seven goals across his victorious campaigns, making him the leading goalscorer in Club World Cup history. This figure is just two ahead of Messi's five goals in his five competition appearances, but will fancy his chances of adding to this tally in Inter's three group A games against Al Ahly, Porto and Palmeiras. © 2025 talk SPORT Limited

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