A showdown between two global football icons, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, may not happen at this year’s FIFA Club World Cup, but one African forward plans to bring both names into the spotlight.
Mohamed Magdy Morsy, better known as Afsha, a key attacker for Egyptian champions Al Ahly, has promised to perform Cristiano Ronaldo’s “Siu” celebration if he scores against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami when the two teams face off on June 14 at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.
“My role model is Cristiano Ronaldo,” Afsha told Soccer Laduma via OnTime Sports . “I try to do everything he does to stay fit, and if I score against Messi in the Club World Cup, I will do Ronaldo’s ‘Siu’ celebration.”
It has already stirred fans ahead of the opening match of the 32-team tournament, which concludes on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Afsha has bold ambitions
Al Ahly has reached the Club World Cup podium twice before, clinching third place in 2006 and 2020, however, this new format features clubs from every continent, which makes the tournament the most competitive in years.
“Winning the Club World Cup title is a very difficult dream,” Afsha admitted. “But nothing is impossible. I’m not afraid of anyone in football. I respect everyone, but I’m not terrified of facing any opponent.”
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Lionel Messi, who has won everything from La Liga to the World Cup and even the Club World Cup, which he won three times with Barcelona, will now turn his eyes to a first Club World Cup title with Inter Miami.
Ronaldo, who has won the tournament four times with Manchester United and Real Madrid, won’t be a part of the tournament, as Al Nassr failed to win the AFC Champions League in the qualifying window, which was the qualification criteria for the Saudi side.
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