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Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano revealed that full-back Jordi Alba and holding midfielder Yannick Bright were ruled out for the opener against the Egyptian giants.
Jordi Alba. (X)
The 2025 edition of the FIFA Club World Cup is set to get underway on the 15th of June in the United States of America, with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami taking on Egyptian heavyweights Al Ahly at the Hard Rock Stadium in the new 32-team group and knockout tournament.
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano revealed that full-back Jordi Alba and holding midfielder Yannick Bright were ruled out for the opener against the Egyptian giants.
“Jordi and Yannick are not available for this game but hopefully they will be for the second game,” Mascherano said.
“Obviously we would have loved to have everyone fit for this game and have our full roster, that would allow us to be stronger,” the 41-year-old added.
The Argentine gaffer lauded the efforts of FIFA to revamp the international tournament to make it a 32-team group and knockout event that could further extend the reach of the beautiful game across the globe.
“This is a unique competition and we are privileged to be a part of it. We are here thanks to what we did last year and I think it is a huge opportunity to test each other out and see what our level is,” he added.
“Let’s hope it is in optimal condition, in this I think FIFA is well experienced but as I always say, we concentrate on things we can control,” Mascherano continued.
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino also shed light on the increase in the level of security around the tournament and sought to foster safety at the watershed tournament.
Al Aly head coach Jose Riveiro opined that his side need to be wary of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi during his side’s game against the MLS club in the curtain-raiser.
“Above all else he has a skill that is incredible, he has a brilliant understanding of what is happening on the field. He is still the player he was, in the final third, close to goal and he has a great understanding with Busquets and Luis Suarez,” Riveiro said.
“I think it is about to ensuring they don’t get good service and trying to stop them. We know there are things that we need to do very well so that (Miami) might make mistakes,” he added.
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