(foto: Getty Images)
Slovenian striker Nejc Gradišar will lead Al Ahly against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami tonight as the new 32-team FIFA Club World Cup kicks off.
The wait is over — the new-format FIFA Club World Cup officially kicks off tonight with a match that has a unique Slovenian touch. At 2 AM Slovenian time, Al Ahly of Egypt will take on Inter Miami, giving Slovenian fans a direct reason to stay up: 22-year-old Nejc Gradišar will be in action against Lionel Messi and Miami’s galaxy of ex-Barcelona stars.
While FIFA has struggled to sell out tickets for this opener, Slovenian supporters would surely fill a section if Miami were closer. Gradišar, who has been scoring regularly for Al Ahly, will now test himself against Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and under the guidance of coach Javier Mascherano, another Barcelona legend.
Tonight’s match marks a huge stage for Gradišar, who joined the Egyptian powerhouse last year and has quickly made a name for himself as a reliable goal-scorer.
The action won’t stop with the opening game. Tomorrow’s schedule promises more heavyweight clashes:
The tournament runs until July 13, culminating with the final at MetLife Stadium near New York.