Messi Cup expands to 16 clubs as Lionel Messi’s Youth Tournament doubles in size

Lionel Messi, through his production company 525 Rosario, has announced the expansion of the Messi Cup, an international under-16 youth tournament hosted in South Florida.​ According to Inside Football World, the second edition of the tournament will take place from October 25 to November 1 at Inter Miami’s stadium.

It features a doubled lineup of 16 top global club academies, up from eight in its inaugural year. Participating teams include Inter Miami, Barcelona, Chelsea, Ajax, Inter Milan, Atlético Madrid, Palmeiras, Boca Juniors, and River Plate.​

Messi stated the event aims to give elite young talent a unique developmental experience competing at the highest international level. 525 Rosario CEO Tim Pastore expressed ambitions to cement the event permanently on the global youth football calendar.