Inter Miami qualify for Club World Cup after Lionel Messi's 11-minute hat-trick

FIFA president Gianni Infantino added Inter Miami to the Club World Cup after their 6-2 win over the New England Revolution saw them break Major League Soccer's points record.

Lionel Messi came off the bench to net a hat-trick inside 11 minutes to inspire the huge victory, which took Miami up to 74 points of the final day of the MLS season, beating the previous record of 73 points set by Saturday's opponents in 2021.

After the game, Infantino came out on the pitch to announce Miami's involvement in the Club World Cup.

"We all know how Miami is in love with football and how Inter Miami is supported from across Florida and beyond for your exciting brand of football," Infantino said. "Congratulations on your wonderful 2024 Supporters' Shield success. You have shown that in the United States, you are consistently the best club on the field of play.

"Therefore, I am proud to announce that as one of the best clubs in the world, you are deserved participants in the new FIFA Club World Cup 2025 as the host club representing the United States."

Reflecting on his announcement in a later statement, Infantino added: "It was really an incredible moment to be able to tell the fans of Inter Miami, which has had an incredible season, a record of points and everything, live, that they are qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup.

"They are now officially one of the 32 best clubs in the world, already after a few years since their existence. And now they can start writing their story also on the global stage."

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