David Beckham rocked by Lionel Messi quit claims weeks after FIFA controversy

Inter Miami has been thrust into the eye of a FIFA controversy following their contentious spot in next summer's Club World Cup, compounded by doubts over Lionel Messi's future after a stunning play-off defeat to Atlanta United.

FIFA confirmed Inter Miami's participation in the Club World Cup after they clinched the Supporters' Shield for the best regular-season record in Major League Soccer. However, the MLS champion is traditionally decided through end-of-season playoffs, culminating with the MLS Cup in December.

The decision sparked an uproar among fans from other American league clubs, with no clear criteria for Club World Cup inclusion previously established, leading some to cry favouritism.

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Owned in part by former Manchester United star David Beckham and featuring Ballon d'Or record holder Messi, Inter Miami will kick off the 2025 Club World Cup at home. Yet, they won't enter as MLS Cup champions, and manager Tata Martino hinted that Messi's tenure in the US might be winding down.

"I actually don't know how limited [Messi's time in this league] is," Martino admitted post-match on Saturday (via Goal). "There is a question of time passing, but I would not dare to say that it is so short," reports the Mirror.

"If you look at the context in which this began, it seems to me that the progress of the club is important. The comparison of the last game of last season, back in October, with today's third game in the playoffs and this bitterness that we all have for not having progressed, is clear that the club's objectives have been modified