Key Takeaways
Lionel Messi announced the Messi Cup, an under-16 tournament bringing eight elite academies to Miami from December 9-14
Eight clubs will compete: FC Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, Manchester City, River Plate, Inter Milan, Newell’s Old Boys, Chelsea, and Inter Miami
Matches will take place at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium and Florida Blue Training Center with a minimum of three games per team
The tournament format includes group stage play followed by knockout rounds, with the final scheduled for December 14 at Chase Stadium
The event marks Messi’s effort to build youth football infrastructure in South Florida while connecting clubs from his playing career
Tournament Structure and Participating Clubs
The inaugural Messi Cup will feature eight under-16 teams competing across six days in December. The lineup includes clubs spanning four continents: FC Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, Manchester City, River Plate, Inter Milan, Newell’s Old Boys, Chelsea, and Inter Miami.
Teams will be divided into two groups, with each side guaranteed at least three matches before advancing to knockout rounds. The competition culminates on December 14 with the final and third-place match at Chase Stadium, Inter Miami’s home venue. Additional matches will be held at the Florida Blue Training Center, the club’s training facility.
Messi’s Announcement and Vision
Messi revealed the tournament through an Instagram post, stating: “I can finally tell you that this December a very special youth tournament is coming to Miami, featuring some of the best clubs in the world. There will also be many more activities that week. I hope you like it!”
The selection of participating clubs reflects different chapters of Messi’s career. Newell’s Old Boys, his childhood club in Rosario, Argentina, will compete alongside FC Barcelona, where he spent two decades and won multiple Champions League titles. River Plate represents Argentine football’s elite academy system, while Inter Miami is his current team in Major League Soccer.
Youth Football Development in South Florida
The tournament adds to Miami’s growing profile as a destination for international youth competitions. By hosting eight academies known for player development, the event provides exposure for young athletes in a region where MLS continues expanding its youth infrastructure.
Inter Miami’s facilities will serve as the tournament hub, offering a centralized location for teams, families, and scouts. The club opened its training center in 2021 and Chase Stadium began hosting matches in 2020, creating a contained venue setup for the six-day competition.
Looking Ahead
The Messi Cup establishes a new platform for under-16 talent evaluation at the intersection of Messi’s legacy and Miami’s evolving football ecosystem. While the tournament’s first edition runs December 9-14, Messi indicated additional activities will take place throughout the week, though specific details were not disclosed in his announcement.
The event positions Miami as a December destination for international youth football, creating potential for annual editions as Inter Miami and MLS invest in youth development programming across Florida.
via: bein sports
photo: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images
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