Club World Cup starts with box office failure, Messi as the star attraction and suspense over Europeans

Summary The 2025 Club World Cup kicks off with Lionel Messi starring in the opening match between Al Ahly and Inter Miami, but faces low ticket demand and doubts over the Europeans' dedication to the tournament.

The wait is over. After years of anticipation, the Club World Cup --in a new format-- will begin this Saturday, the 14th, with the duel between Al Ahly, from Egypt, and Inter Miami, from the United States, at the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami.

The big star of the opening game is, of course, Lionel Messi . The number 10 is the star of the North American team led by Javier Mascherano, which also has Sergio Busquets and Luis Suárez in the squad.

Even with the attraction of three of the best players in world football in recent years, the opening match -- like the entire competition -- suffers from low demand for tickets.

In a final move to attract fans, the organization has already reduced the price of tickets for the game between Al Ahly and Inter Miami from US$359.00 (R$1,990.2) to US$69.00 (R$382.5) in the cheapest section of the stadium, for example.

In addition to the drop in prices, promotions are being held in Miami, such as discounts for students and the promise of free tickets in some cases.

Another question about the new Club World Cup format is the importance that the Europeans will give to the championship. As the last match of the season on the Old Continent, there are doubts about whether the players will really be 100% dedicated to the tournament.

There is one thing, however, that is certain: the world's top teams are sending their squads with the best they have at their disposal and, of course, no one goes onto the field to lose.