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Messi To Kick Off New Club World Cup, Neymar To Face Real Madrid (FULL DRAW)

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Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will kick off FIFA’s new 32-team Club World Cup when the Major League Soccer side take on Egypt’s Al Ahly in the June 15 opener, the draw for the tournament revealed on Thursday.

Brazilian team Palmeiras and Portugal’s Porto complete Group A alongside Argentina World Cup winner Messi whose Miami team were handed a spot by FIFA after finishing top of the regular season standings in MLS.

Messi’s former Barcelona team-mate, Brazilian Neymar, will have a reunion with La Liga rivals and European champions Real Madrid in Group H.

Twelve European clubs will feature in the tournament with Manchester City facing Juventus in Group G.

Paris Saint-Germain were drawn in a tough group with Atletico Madrid, Copa Libertadores winners Botafogo of Brazil and Seattle Sounders.

Club officials and former players gathered for Thursday’s draw in Miami and US President-elect Donald Trump sent his best wishes in a video message before the ceremony, which took place during a 90-minute live broadcast from a television studio in Miami.

The final of the tournament will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13.


FIFA had struggled to find sponsors and broadcasters for the new tournament but on Wednesday announced a global deal with streaming company DAZN, who will show the games for free.

FIFA has faced opposition from some in the game over the new tournament.

FIFpro and the European Leagues body filed a joint complaint to the European Commission against FIFA over the introduction of the tournament into the international match calendar.

Opponents of the new tournament have said it adds further congestion to an already crowded schedule and increases the workload of players.


2025 FIFA Club World Cup draw
Draw for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup draw announced here on Thursday:

Group A

Palmeiras (BRA)

Porto (POR)

Al Ahly (EGY)

Inter Miami (USA)

Group B

Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)

Atletico Madrid (ESP)

Botafogo (BRA)

Seattle Sounders (USA)

Group C

Bayern Munich (GER)

Auckland City FC (NZL)

Boca Juniors (ARG)

Benfica (POR)

Group D

Flamengo (BRA)

Esperance (TUN)

Chelsea (ENG)

Club Leon (MEX)

Group E

River Plate (ARG)

Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)

Monterrey (MEX)

Inter Milan (ITA)

Group F

Fluminense (BRA)

Borussia Dortmund (GER)

Ulsan HD FC (KOR)

Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)

Group G

Manchester City (ENG)

Wydad (MAR)

Al Ain (UAE)

Juventus (ITA)

Group H

Real Madrid (ESP)

Al Hilal (KSA)

Pachuca (MEX)

RB Salzburg (AUT)

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Nottingham Forest boss upbeat on Awoniyi’s injury

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Nottingham Forest manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, remains optimistic Taiwo Awoniyi will be fit for the club’s next league game against Newcastle United.

Awoniyi missed the Tricky Trees 2-1 defeat to Fulham at the Craven Cottage on Saturday due to injury.

The Nigeria international broke his nose in Forest’s Emirates FA Cup win over Exeter City in midweek.


Santo said they didn’t get the clearance to include the striker in the squad against Fulham.

“We didn’t have the clearance from the Premier League about the concussion protocols, so he was not able to go in the squad,” he was quoted by the Nottinghampost.

“He is feeling fine, it is about making sure we follow the protocols. He was okay, but we have to respect the protocols.”

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LaLiga: Valencia coach hails Sadiq’s display in Villarreal draw

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Valencia manager, Carlos Corberán, has expressed satisfaction with Umar Sadiq’s contribution in his side’s 1-1 draw against Villarreal.

Sadiq rescued a point for Los Ches in the encounter played at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

Papa Gueye gave Villarreal the lead around the half hour mark.


Substitute Sadiq then equalised seven minutes from time.

It was the 27-year-old’s maiden goal for Valencia.

Corberán praised the Nigeria international for his impressive performance.

“To be a combative team, with chances in matches, we need all the players.

“Today, in general, I liked those who started and the contribution of those on the bench. We need everyone at their best to achieve this,” he told the club’s official website.

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Ronaldo names Real Madrid player as his worst-ever teammate

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Brazil football legend, Ronaldo De Lima, has picked former Real Madrid midfielder, Thomas Gravesen as his worst-ever teammate.

Ronaldo spent five seasons with the LaLiga giants and was a key figure in the club’s Galacticos era.

Gravesen signed for Madrid in a £2.5million move from Everton in January 2005 and went on to make 49 appearances.


The Denmark international played for two seasons alongside Ronaldo.

While Ronaldo has said Gravesen was a “cool guy”, he claimed the former defensive midfielder was “very bad” on the pitch.

In an interview with compatriot Romario, Ronaldo was asked to name the worst player he’d ever played alongside.


He replied: “There are a lot of them. There was one at Real Madrid who was a joke… Gravesen.

“He was a Danish midfielder. He was a really cool guy, good guy. A little while ago he won a $50million poker tournament or something.

“But in football he was very bad, he scored and he beat the hell out of people.”

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