Al Ahly manager Jose Riveiro is wary of the threat posed by Lionel Messi when they face Inter Miami in their 2025 Club World Cup opener at the Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, June 15.
Kick-off is at 2am CAT SA, GMT2
The Red Eagles were drawn in Group A of the revamped competition which has been expanded to 32 teams and they will battle it out with the Herons, Palmeiras and FC Porto for a place in the knockout stages.
The record 12-time African champions are making their ninth appearance in the continental showpiece and have claimed the bronze medal on four occasions 2006, 2020, 2021, 2023.
Riveiro, who joined the Cairo giants last month after three successful seasons at Orlando Pirates, has set his sights on reaching the round of 16 at the bare minimum as expectations will be high from their fanatical fans.