Messi Boosts 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Viewership in the U.S.

Lionel Messi's participation in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has significantly boosted the tournament's viewership in the United States, with Inter Miami's matches drawing record audiences. The team's upcoming Round of 16 match against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on June 29 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is highly anticipated, given Messi's previous tenure with the French club.

Since Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, the team's games have garnered unprecedented attention. Matches broadcast on TNT Sports are averaging 360,000 viewers, a figure comparable to the Premier League's 2024-25 season average on USA Network. Notably, Inter Miami's game against Brazil's Palmeiras attracted 676,000 viewers, peaking at 875,000, marking the largest audience for the team on English-language TV since Messi's arrival.

Inter Miami secured second place in Group A with one win and two draws, becoming the first Major League Soccer (MLS) club to reach the tournament's knockout stages. Their upcoming match against PSG is particularly noteworthy, as it marks the first time Messi will face his former team in an official match. The encounter is further highlighted by the presence of several of Messi's former Barcelona teammates on Inter Miami's roster, including Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.

PSG's coach, Luis Enrique, who previously managed Messi at Barcelona, acknowledged the challenge of facing his former player, emphasizing the need for a collective team effort to defend against him. Inter Miami's coach, Javier Mascherano, also a former Barcelona player, expressed respect for PSG's strength but vowed his team would compete fiercely.

As of June 27, 2025, PSG is favored to win with odds of -450, while Inter Miami stands at +1000. The match will be broadcast in the United States on TNT and available for streaming on DAZN.

Messi's involvement has not only elevated viewership but also increased attendance and merchandise sales, reflecting his substantial influence on soccer's popularity in the U.S. The tournament's $1 billion prize pool underscores FIFA's commitment to enhancing the competition's prestige and financial incentives.

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup marks a significant evolution in the tournament's history, expanding to 32 teams and being hosted in the United States for the first time. This expansion aims to elevate the competition's global profile and test the American market's appetite for top-tier international club soccer.

As Inter Miami prepares to face PSG, the convergence of Messi's enduring star power, the reunion with former Barcelona teammates, and the backdrop of his previous tenure at PSG have captivated fans worldwide. This matchup underscores the growing prominence of soccer in the United States and highlights the transformative impact of global icons like Messi on the sport's domestic appeal.