Lionel Messi has announced the return of the Messi Cup, with the international youth tournament doubling in size for its second edition. Sixteen clubs will now take part, up from eight last year, with the under-16 competition set to run in South Florida from October 25 to November 1.
The tournament is organized by Messi's production company, 525 Rosario, and will again be hosted at Inter Miami's stadium. Inter Miami and Barcelona headline a field that also includes Ajax, Inter Milan, Atlético Madrid, Benfica, Palmeiras, Arsenal, Newell's Old Boys, Flamengo, UE Cornellà, Manchester City, Boca Juniors, River Plate, Independiente del Valle and Chelsea.
Messi on the Tournament's Purpose
"The Messi Cup was created to give young players a unique experience, both on and off the pitch, during a crucial stage of their development, and to introduce them to what it means to compete at the highest international level," Messi said in a news release. "We are happy to see the tournament grow and to bring together players from so many of the world's top clubs to compete, share experiences and above all enjoy the game of football."
Ambitions to Build a Lasting Fixture
525 Rosario CEO Tim Pastore framed the expansion as a key step for the event's long-term future. "Going from eight to 16 clubs in our second year marks a significant milestone for the Messi Cup," Pastore said. "Our goal is to secure a permanent place on the global youth soccer calendar and build a tournament that clubs value, young players aspire to compete in and fans around the world want to follow. That means continuing to raise the bar every year, both in the quality of the soccer and in how we organize and run the tournament."
