Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy has voiced his frustration after learning that Inter Miami, not his record-breaking team, has been invited to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Despite Columbus Crew’s dominant season and being top of the Concacaf rankings, the spot went to Inter Miami—a team that did not win the MLS Cup or the Concacaf Champions Cup. The reason? For Nancy, it’s simple: Lionel Messi.

“The Club World Cup? Because it’s Messi. Because there’s more visibility, more revenue—they chose Inter Miami. We were first in Concacaf. A place was to be given, and they picked them. Because Messi is there.”

Nancy didn’t hold back his disappointment during the interview, calling out what he sees as a commercial decision over a sporting one.

“We broke all the records. We deserved to be there. But they went with Inter Miami. That’s how it is. We can’t compete with Leo Messi.”

💰 A Decision Driven by Business?

The FIFA Club World Cup will expand to 32 teams in 2025, and with it, comes a growing tension between sporting merit and global marketability. While Inter Miami’s recent performances haven’t earned them qualification through titles, the Messi effect has made the club a global phenomenon.

📺 Inter Miami’s games break MLS viewership records, their shirts sell out globally, and the presence of one of football’s all-time greats brings unmatched attention—exactly what the tournament is likely banking on.

⚽ Sporting Fairness vs. Global Visibility

Nancy’s comments underscore a growing concern in modern football: “When the spotlight dictates decisions, what happens to merit?”