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Lionel Messi and David Beckham faced accusations of receiving preferential treatment from FIFA after Inter Miami secured a place in the inaugural Club World Cup.

The sport's world governing body came under fire for awarding the host nation berth to Inter Miami – and consequently, Messi – despite the team not having clinched the Major League Soccer title. Remarks from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, apparently encouraging participating teams to recruit another footballing legend in Cristiano Ronaldo , only heightened suspicions among critics.

Miami were also granted the privilege of staging the tournament's curtain-raiser at their Hard Rock Stadium. Speaking on the pitch at an MLS fixture prior to the competition, Infantino declared: "Miami loves football , the wo

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