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Lionel Messi drew a crowd of 60,000 and showed flashes of his brilliance as his Inter Miami side were held to a goalless draw by African giants Al-Ahly as the revamped Club World Cup got off to a festive start on Saturday.
Fans showed up en masse for the Group A clash at the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the Miami Dolphins
However, Messi could not fully deliver, coming closest late on when his effort was deflected onto the crossbar as David Beckham watched on.
Inter Miami next face FC Porto on Thursday in Atlanta while Al-Ahly, who benefited from raucous, massive support, will take on Palmeiras in New York, where more of their fans are expected to turn up.
No incidents were reported at the game after around 1,000 protesters gathered in the morning near U.S. President Donald Trump´s Mar-a-Lago estate, about 70 miles (110 km) north of Miami, waving placards and chanting slogans as part of coordinated nationwide 'No Kings' demonstrations.
In Miami, 60,927 fans almost filled the 65,000-capacity stadium for Inter Miami´s clash with Al-Ahly dismissing, at least on the night, concerns about the attractiveness of the tournament featuring 32 teams for the first time, a year before the World Cup in the U.S.
Lionel Messi's Inter Miami were held to a 0-0 draw in their Club World Cup opener
David Beckham was in attendance to watch his side get held to a frustrating stalemate
Social media sensation iShowSpeed was in attendance as the tournament got underway
Inter Miami, whose home attendances average 20,663 in their 21,550-seat Chase Stadium, have been a major road draw in 2025, regularly attracting record crowds across the country since Messi's arrival in 2023.
Adan De La Rosa travelled from Mexico just to see Messi play. 'There's a lot of excitement to see Messi, it's the same for everyone,' he said.
Al-Ahly, backed by dozens of thousands of fans, got off to a strong start but wasted two early chances and Oscar Ustari parried away Trezeguet's poorly taken penalty kick after Zizo was fouled in the box by Telasco Segovia.
Messi threatened at times after spending some time on the ground after being hit on the knee, but Miami could feel lucky not to be behind at halftime.
Miami, however, stepped up a gear after the break, and Messi came close when his nicely curled 25-metre free kick kissed the post and hit the side netting.
With six minutes left, the World Cup winner scooped a perfect cross for Fafa Picault, whose header was tipped over the bar by Mohamed Elshenawy.
He came an inch close in the dying second when his curled strike from outside the box was tipped onto the bar by Elshenawy.
The Club World Cup continues on Sunday with Champions League winners Paris St Germain taking on Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich playing Auckland City.
Inter Miami had another prime scoring chance in the 85th minute. Messi lifted a pass toward the front of the net to Fafa Picault, who bounced a header off the turf and over the crossbar.
Messi's final attempt in the sixth minute of stoppage time nearly sent the crowd into the frenzy. He winced after El Shenawy leaped and stretched out his right hand to deflect the ball off the crossbar and out of play.
Inter Miami fended off several scoring opportunities from Al Ahly during the first half.
Al Ahly's best chance came on a penalty shot in the 43rd minute. Trezeguet blasted a rising shot but Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari perfectly timed a dive to his left for a stellar save.
In the 57th minute, Messi ripped a shot toward the left side of the net but was denied by El Shenawy.
Inter Miami's next contest is Thursday against FC Porto in Atlanta.
Al Ahly will face Palmeiras on Thursday at East Rutherford, N.J.
