Eli Manning’s selection of Inter Miami as his 2025 FIFA Club World Cup team seemed like a lighthearted social media moment, with the veteran NFL quarterback taking a chance on what team he would end up with. That random choice, however, is beginning to take on greater significance as the competition heats up.
Legendary Career at MetLife, Will Inter Miami Make It?
Manning, who spent his entire football career creating unforgettable memories at MetLife Stadium, could soon watch the team he drew by chance step onto that same field, this time on the world’s biggest soccer stage. Miami, led by Lionel Messi, has become one of the tournament’s early surprises. With four points from two matches, including a stunning victory over Portuguese powerhouse FC Porto, they’re suddenly in a strong position to reach the knockout stage.
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Their victory over Porto was significant not only for the outcome but also for how it transpired. Following a rough, back-and-forth match, Messi sealed the victory with his signature free kick. It was one of those occasions that made everyone realize why he remains one of the most feared athletes in the sport. For a team that many questioned could compete at this level, it also signaled a major shift.
Work to Do For Miami, Poised to Make Knockout Stage
It’s not an easy group for Inter Miami. With Palmeiras, Al Ahly, and Porto sharing the stage, the MLS team’s chances of winning were slim. However, they now have a genuine chance after a thrilling victory over Porto and a draw with Al Ahly. They would guarantee their spot in the following round with one more outcome, either a victory or a draw against Palmeiras of Brazil on June 23. And all of a sudden, a North American team that was still relatively new to the world scene would be in the final 16.
Even now, the prospect of Inter Miami reaching the championship game still seems audacious. Soccer, however, is full of tales of underdogs triumphing, late drama, and players like Messi rescuing teams at crucial times. Fans, and perhaps even some surprising backers like Manning, live for those stories.
If Miami continues to make progress and the route gets to MetLife Stadium in July, football and soccer won’t be the only topics of conversation. The topic will be how athletics can bring people, places, and times together. Despite the fact that Manning’s selection was based on chance, there is a rising possibility that he will be watching Inter Miami compete for a trophy on the pitch where his own career became legendary.