Messi Unveils His Own Global Youth Cup: A High-Profile Kickoff in Miami
14 October 2025
Event Details and Participants
Argentine legend Lionel Messi, captain of Inter Miami and Argentina, announced the first edition of a tournament bearing his name. The Messi Cup will bring together eight clubs, with Barcelona and Manchester City among the headliners, in South Florida.
Messi described the event as international youth football, scheduled in Miami from December 9 to 14, produced in collaboration with his production company 525 Rosario.
In a post on Instagram, he said he was excited to invite fans to a competition that showcases the next generation of global talent, with a program aligned to sport, culture, and innovation.
525 Rosario explained that the goal is to help shape the future of the game through a mix of live matches and digital experiences.
The tournament will feature 18 matches across eight teams: Inter Miami, Barcelona, Manchester City, River Plate, Inter Milan, Newell's Old Boys, Atletico Madrid, and Chelsea.
Teams will be divided into two groups of four and compete in a three-day group phase, followed by knockout rounds to determine final standings, with both third-place and final matches staged at Chase Stadium.
Inter Miami is reportedly keen to renew Messi's contract to retain his value on and off the pitch, a move underscored by renewed shirt sales and global attention.
Messi joined Inter Miami in the summer of 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, choosing a project that Beckham helped found and that plays in the US sporting spotlight.
Before joining Miami, Messi spent two seasons with PSG after a free transfer at the end of his Barcelona era in 2021.
His Barcelona departure stunned the football world, as many expected him to retire at Camp Nou.
A golden era followed, including La Masia training and a senior debut in 2005 versus Getafe; a legacy capped by trophies and a feared attacking trio with Neymar and Suarez.
Internationally, Messi's achievements include three major titles with Argentina since 2021: two Copa Americas and the 2022 World Cup, a defining period for the nation.
In Miami, 2023 marked a new chapter as Messi's move transformed the league and elevated the profile of MLS worldwide.
Speculation continues about Neymar possibly joining Inter Miami, reigniting the MSN reunion—this time in the American club colors.
The overall project, as per 525 Rosario, aims to combine sport with culture and innovation, engaging the next generation and offering a mix of live events and digital content.
The Messi Cup consists of eight clubs and 18 matches, with two groups and a final stage at a major stadium (Chase Stadium mentioned).
Inter Miami is keen to renew Messi's contract to keep him in the Hard Rock Stadium, continuing to turn heads and shirts into bestsellers.
Punchlines: Messi's passes are so precise that even GPS recalibrates. Also, if football were a sniper course, Messi would graduate with honors—though the targets keep moving just to stay impressed.
