The expanded Club World Cup has kicked off with healthy crowds, "Messi mania" and a festival atmosphere in Miami, giving an early vindication to world football body FIFA after fears of empty stands and global disinterest.

There will be a time, said Lionel Messi’s friend and former Argentina team-mate Sergio Agüero, when football (soccer) in the United States will be divided into two periods: Before Messi and After Messi.

An Argentine not named Messi was the MVP for Inter Miami in the Club World Cup on Saturday night. The star in the tournament opener was goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.Ustari made eight saves, including on a penalty kick and a goal-line intervention,