The rumor mill is spinning hard. Inter Miami might get invited to play in the 2027 Copa Libertadores. And let's be honest – this is all about getting Lionel Messi to South America one more time.
CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez wants to see Messi play in the Copa Libertadores before he retires. According to multiple sources, that dream could become reality in 2027. Inter Miami and one Liga MX team would reportedly get spots in the tournament.
Here's the kicker: sporting merit has nothing to do with it. This would be a straight-up invitation for Messi and company. Remember when that preseason friendly against Independiente del Valle got rescheduled because Messi was injured? That's the kind of power we're talking about here.
The plan would expand Copa Libertadores from 32 to 36 teams, similar to what UEFA Champions League is doing. Two to four spots could go to MLS and Liga MX teams. Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas is pushing hard for this to happen.
But there's a catch. CONCACAF has to approve this deal. If Miami gets the invite, they'd probably skip the CONCACAF Champions Cup to avoid scheduling conflicts. That's a tough pill for CONCACAF to swallow.
What This Means for MLS
MLS has flirted with South American competitions before. D.C. United played in the Copa Sudamericana twice in the 2000s. The results were mixed at best.
The bigger question is whether CONMEBOL is serious about making this permanent. Or is this just a cash grab while Messi is still playing? Once he retires, will MLS teams still get invitations?
From a betting perspective, this creates interesting possibilities. MLS teams would face completely different playing styles and passionate atmospheres they rarely experience. That could lead to some surprising results and valuable betting opportunities.
For MLS, competing in Copa Libertadores would be huge. The tournament is considered one of the best club competitions in the world, right up there with Champions League. But it comes with risks – more travel, potential injuries, and the chance of getting embarrassed on a big stage.
The timing could actually work out. MLS is switching to a fall-to-spring calendar in 2027. That means American teams would be in midseason form when Copa Libertadores starts, instead of just beginning their season.
South American Fans Aren't Thrilled
Not everyone is excited about this idea. Many South American journalists think it's all about money, not competition.
ESPN Argentina's Rosario Pompizzi put it bluntly: "I prefer sporting merit over commercial and marketing interests." Uruguayan journalist Brahian Kuchman Bottaro agrees. He thinks invitations based on marketing rather than performance hurt the competition's integrity.
But some analysts see potential benefits. Popular commentator Filippo Silva believes top MLS and Liga MX teams are better than most Copa Libertadores teams these days. They might not win the whole thing, but they'd be competitive in the knockout stages.
There's also debate within CONMEBOL about spot allocation. Brazil gets seven spots, Argentina gets six, and everyone else gets four. Colombia's football president thinks that's unfair, especially if MLS teams start taking spots too.
So is this a one-time Messi spectacle or the beginning of a real partnership? Nobody knows for sure. But one thing's certain – if it happens, Inter Miami matches in South America would draw massive crowds and massive betting interest. Whether that's good for the sport long-term remains to be seen.
