San Francisco Frontiers - Miami missing Alba for Club World Cup opener

NYSE - LSE

CMSC	0.4%	22.314	$
CMSD	0.11%	22.285	$
RBGPF	0%	69.04	$
SCS	0.37%	10.74	$
RELX	0.06%	53	$
RIO	-0.24%	59.33	$
GSK	0.31%	41.45	$
NGG	0.38%	71.48	$
BP	0.58%	30.4	$
BTI	1.48%	48.215	$
BCC	0.87%	91.02	$
JRI	0.15%	13.13	$
VOD	0.1%	9.85	$
BCE	-0.27%	22.445	$
RYCEF	0.83%	12	$
AZN	-0.16%	73.71	$

Miami missing Alba for Club World Cup opener

SPORTS 13.06.2025

Miami missing Alba for Club World Cup opener / Photo: © AFP

Inter Miami will be without their Spanish international left back Jordi Alba for the opening game of the Club World Cup on Saturday against Egypt's Al Ahly.

Text size:

Miami coach Javier Mascherano told a press conference on Friday that the former Barcelona defender would have to sit out the Group A match at Hard Rock Stadium.

In another blow for the Major League Soccer club, defensive midfielder Yannick Bright has also been ruled out of the opener for the 32-team tournament.

"Jordi and Yannick are not available for this game but hopefully they will be for the second game," said the Argentine coach.

Miami will play Porto on Thursday in Atlanta before closing out the group stage against Brazil's Palmeiras back in South Florida.

Alba, who has a leg muscle injury, will be a major absence for Mascherano not only for his defensive abilities but for his role as one of the main providers of quality service to Lionel Messi.

Bright has delivered some physical presence to the midfield alongside the wily but ageing Sergio Busquets.

"Obviously we would have loved to have everyone fit for this game and have our full roster, that would allow us to be stronger," added Mascherano.

Despite the setbacks, the former Barcelona and Liverpool midfielder said his team were relishing the challenge of playing on the international stage.

"This is a unique competition and we are privileged to be a part of it. We are here thanks to what we did last year and I think it is a huge opportunity to test each other out and see what our level is," he added.

Miami were handed a place in the tournament as the representative of the host nation thanks to winning the MLS Supporters' Shield which is awarded for the team with the best regular season record.

However Miami did not finish as champions of MLS, losing to Atlanta in the first-round of the playoffs while the Los Angeles Galaxy went out to win MLS Cup.

There was some surprise when media arrived at the venue and the markings were not yet in place on the field with some work being carried out on the surface.

"Let's hope it is in optimal condition, in this I think FIFA is well experienced but as I always say, we concentrate on things we can control," said the Miami coach.

A.Evans--SFF

Featured

Lawrence shares sixth as second round ends at rainy US Open

Thriston Lawrence sank a four-foot par putt Saturday morning to complete his storm-halted second round of the US Open in a share of sixth place at rainy Oakmont.

Markram the hero as South Africa win WTC final to end long wait for cricket glory

Aiden Markram's magnificent century was the cornerstone of South Africa's five-wicket victory over Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord's on Saturday as the Proteas ended decades of cricket heartbreak by at last winning a major global title.

South Africa beat Australia to win World Test Championship final

Aiden Markram's magnificent century guided South Africa to a five-wicket win over Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord's on Saturday as the Proteas finally ended their decades-long wait for a major global cricket trophy.

McKenzie kicks Chiefs to Super Rugby semi-final win over Brumbies

Damian McKenzie kicked the Waikato Chiefs into a third successive Super Rugby Pacific final, punishing the ACT Brumbies for their indiscipline in a 37-17 semi-final win on Saturday.