Al Ahly: “We have prepared to stop him,” José Ribeiro warns Messi

In the opening match of the Club World Cup on June 15 in Miami, Al Ahly will face Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. José Ribeiro, the new coach of the Egyptian club, insists that he has meticulously prepared his team for this unprecedented challenge.

José Ribeiro took over from Marcel Koller at the helm of Al Ahly at the end of May, signing a two-year contract following their Egyptian league triumph. Barely in the door, he is already making his mark: carefully plotting for the high-voltage clash with Inter Miami and their global superstar. At a press conference, he revealed that his players have studied Lionel Messi and his teammates, crafting a compact defensive setup and tailored pressing strategy.

“Messi is a great player with extraordinary abilities, known all over the world. He can change the course of any match. But we have thoroughly prepared to face him and to stop him. Messi is not the only threat—they have other experienced players as well,” declared José Ribeiro.

Al Ahly’s main target is to reach the round of 16—a goal clearly stated from the group stage onwards.

“We hope to achieve positive results in the group stage and qualify for the round of 16. Al Ahly has a unique character and always wants to be competitive in every tournament, which is why we will face major challenges at the Club World Cup,” added the Spanish tactician.

Since their arrival in Miami, Al Ahly’s players have been undergoing intensive training sessions under the scorching Florida sun. The Egyptian club played a preparatory match against Pachuca (1-1, 3-5 on penalties) to fine-tune their tactical approach and integrate new signings before the big event. The Al Ahly vs Inter Miami showdown is scheduled for Friday, June 14 at 8 p.m. local time (01:00 GMT on the night of June 14 to 15), at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium in the United States.

Lydiane N'Po |

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Sports journalist specializing in African football, covering football news, exclusive stories and digital content for passionate fans of the game.