Club Tourney Shines Through Scattered Clouds

The Club World Cup's various problems have been well documented, from empty seats to storm delays, extreme heat to complaints about FIFA's expanded competition being a cash grab at the expense of the players' long-term health.

- AFP

ATLANTA — The Club World Cup's various problems have been well documented, from empty seats to storm delays, extreme heat to complaints about FIFA's expanded competition being a cash grab at the expense of the players' long-term health.

However, with the right ingredients slow-cooking in the United States summer sun, there has also been plenty to enjoy about the tournament so far.

Several stars are getting their encore moments, including Inter Miami's cast of aging former Barcelona greats, led by Lionel Messi.

Now 38, Messi helped the Major League Soccer side make the last 16 against the odds.

His mere presence still sparks intense reactions, including from a young boy in an Argentina shirt at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in tears before the new NBA-style walk-outs.

He delivered, too, scoring a superb free kick to earn Miami a shock 2-1 victory over Porto.