Under the previous format, Lionel Messi had scored five goals in five matches at the Club World Cup Lionel Messi and a heavy security presence were on show as the revamped Club World Cup got under way in the US on Saturday.

Lionel Messi drew vast crowds and showed flashes of his brilliance when his Inter Miami side were held to a goalless draw by African giants Al-Ahly as the revamped Club World Cup got off to a festive start on Saturday.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will have the eyes of the world on them as they kick off soccer's newest competition at the Club World Cup.

Inter Milan forward Mehdi Taremi has been left stranded in Iran after failing to get a flight out of the country amid its conflict with Israel, a club source told Reuters, with Italian media reporting the 32-year-old will miss the Club World Cup.

Mehdi Taremi will not play in the Club World Cup in the U.S., as he's stuck in Tehran amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.

Inter forward Mehdi Taremi will not travel to the United States for the Club World Cup this week due to escalating conflict in the Middle East, according to the Associated Press. Taremi remains in Tehran after flights out of Iran were grounded following a series of military strikes exchanged between Iran and Israel.