Ahly’s Gradišar proud to face ‘idol’ Messi, vows team will be stronger against Palmeiras

Ahly striker Nejc Gradišar said he was proud to play against his football idol Lionel Messi, despite the disappointment of a goalless draw with Inter Miami in the opening match of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday.

Ahram Online , Monday 16 Jun 2025,
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Nejc Gradisar
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, right, and Al Ahly's Nejc Gradisar leaves the pitch at the end of the Club World Cup group A soccer match between Al Ahly and Inter Miami in Miami. AP

 

The Red Devils produced a convincing first-half display but were unable to break the deadlock in their Group A opener in Miami, with both sides settling for a point.

Gradišar, who came off the bench in the final 10 minutes to replace Palestinian forward Wessam Abou Ali, shared his mixed emotions after the match.

“I am disappointed we didn’t get the win,” the Slovenian wrote on Instagram.

“But at the same time, proud to have had the chance to play against my idol, Lionel Messi. It is a moment I will remember forever. Thank you to all the fans for your support.”

“We will come back stronger and give everything we have in the next match,” he added.

Ahly will face Brazilian side Palmeiras on Thursday, with both teams seeking their first win of the tournament.

Palmeiras were also held to a goalless draw, by FC Porto, in their opening game.

The-22-year-old, joined the Cairo giants in January from Hungarian side Fehérvár FC.

He has scored five goals in 19 appearances across all competitions since his arrival.

- Find more details on group standingsmatch schedules, and competition statistics.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

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Group A W D L P
Palmeiras
1 2 0 5
Inter Miami
1 2 0 5
Porto
0 2 1 2
Ahly
0 2 1 2
Group B W D L P
Paris SG
2 0 1 6
Botafogo
2 0 1 6
Atletico Madrid
2 0 1 6
Seattle Sounders
0 0 3 0
Group C W D L P
Benfica
2 1 0 7
Bayern Munich
2 0 1 6
Boca Juniors
0 2 1 2
Auckland City FC
0 1 2 1
Group D W D L P
Flamengo
2 1 0 7
Chelsea
2 0 1 6
Esperance
1 0 2 3
Los Angeles FC
0 1 2 1
Group E W D L P
Inter Milan
2 1 0 7
CF Monterrey
1 2 0 5
River Plate
1 1 1 4
Urawa Reds
0 0 3 0
Group F W D L P
Dortmund
2 1 0 7
Fluminense
1 2 0 5
Mamelodi Sundowns
1 1 1 4
Ulsan HD
0 0 3 0
Group G W D L P
Manchester City
3 0 0 9
Juventus
2 0 1 6
Al-Ain
1 0 2 3
Wydad
0 0 3 0
Group H W D L P
Real Madrid
2 1 0 7
Al-Hilal
1 2 0 5
RB Salzburg
1 1 1 4
Pachuca
0 0 3 0