Lionel Messi has come out to clarify rumours suggesting that FIFA is giving preferential treatment to him and Inter Miami ahead of the 2025 Club World Cup. After days of speculation, the Argentine star decided to address the controversy that has sparked intense debate among football fans and experts.

The controversy arose after reports indicated that FIFA could place an MLS team, such as Inter Miami, in the tournament’s seeding group, should they qualify. This would mean avoiding direct clashes with the European giants in the group stage, which was seen by many as an attempt to benefit Messi and his team.

Responding to these accusations, Messi said: “I have always believed in sporting justice and that games are won on the pitch, not in the offices. I don’t think we need any kind of help to prove our worth. If we get to the Club World Cup, it will be because we deserve it, and that is where we show what we are worth.”

Messi also stressed that his approach remains the same: “My priority is to help my team grow and compete at the highest level. We are working hard to achieve our objectives and we are not distracted by external speculation.”

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which will expand to 32 teams and be played in a format similar to the FIFA World Cup, is already generating expectations for its major changes. However, before the ball is even rolling, the competition has already sparked debates about the fairness of the tournament’s organisation.

Despite the criticism, Messi made it clear that his commitment to Inter Miami and to football remains firm: “I am here to give my best in every game and to continue enjoying football. The rest is secondary.”

With these words, Messi seeks to put an end to the controversy and focus on what he does best: playing football and leading his team to new successes.