MIAMI, Florida — Lionel Messi, a living legend of world football and star of Inter Miami, has officially taken on the role of tournament organizer with the debut of the "Messi Cup". This international competition is specially designed for the U-16 age group, aiming to highlight and refine the young football talents of the future. The event is the result of a collaboration between Messi and his production company, 525 Rosario.
This six-day tournament is expected to transcend the boundaries of ordinary matches. It is envisioned as a pioneering digital platform and a series of live events, harmoniously blending sport, culture, and innovation. The core objective is to create long-term value for young athletes as they build their careers, for communities united by a common passion, and for brands seeking authentic collaboration in the new chapter of global football.
Messi expressed his excitement on Instagram: "I'm thrilled to finally share this with you – this December, Miami will host a very special youth football tournament featuring some of the top clubs from around the world. The future of the game will be on full display, and it's more than just matches—we've got incredible days planned with lots of other exciting activities. This is all for the next generation."
Elite Teams and Top-Tier Format
The inaugural Messi Cup is scheduled to take place from December 9th to December 14th, 2025. All matches will be held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, utilizing Inter Miami's top facilities, including Chase Stadium and the Florida Blue Training Center. The Final and the third-place match will both take place at Chase Stadium on the final day.
The tournament will gather the U-16 squads of eight globally famous clubs, promising high-quality matchups: Inter Miami (USA), Barcelona (Spain), River Plate (Argentina), Chelsea (England), Inter Milan (Italy), Atlético Madrid (Spain), Newell's Old Boys (Argentina), and Manchester City (England).
A total of 18 matches will be played under a clear format: The tournament begins with two groups of four teams, competing in a round-robin format. Following the group stage, a knockout phase will take place, including a placement match, to find the champion.
0 comments:
Post a Comment