Lionel Messi announces eight-club youth tournament 'MESSI CUP'

Rajarshi has been part of Khel Now since 2022, and he covers world football.

Published at :October 16, 2025 at 10:28 AM

Modified at :October 16, 2025 at 10:28 AM

(Courtesy : Getty Images)

Eight youth clubs will be allowed to participate in the competition.

Inter Miami and Barcelona will compete in the first Messi Cup, an international youth soccer competition that Lionel Messi has stated will take place in South Florida.

Messi will host the Under-16 competition from December 9 to 14, in collaboration with his production company, 525 Rosario.

Lionel Messi launches ‘Messi Cup’ for eight youth teams

Lionel Messi Barcelona LaLiga — The Barcelona legend, Lionel Messi, has planned to host an under-16 tournament. (Courtesy: LaLiga Content Hub)

Eight clubs—Inter Miami, Barcelona, Manchester City, River Plate, Inter Milan, Newell’s Old Boys, Atletico Madrid, and Chelsea—will compete in the competition, which consists of eighteen games.

“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,” Messi said in a post on Instagram.

“The future of the game will be on full display, and it’s more than just matches — we’ve got an incredible few days planned with lots of other exciting activities. This is about the next generation. Hope you like it! This is the Messi Cup.”

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According to 525 Rosario, the tournament’s goal is to influence the sport’s future.

“More than a tournament, it is a series of live events and a digitally-driven platform that fuses sport, culture, and innovation,” a statement from the company said.

“Its mission is to generate long-term value for athletes developing their careers, for the communities that unite around a passion for sport, and for brands seeking authentic and lasting connections in the new era of football.”

Over the first three days of the competition, the eight teams will be split up into two groups of four and will compete against one another in a round-robin format. Before the third-place game and final are played at Chase Stadium, a playoff game will be held to decide the final positions.

How many teams will be allowed to play in the competition?

Eight teams will be allowed to play in the Under-16 competition.

Which clubs will play in the competition?

Inter Miami, Barcelona, Manchester City, River Plate, Inter Milan, Newell’s Old Boys, Atletico Madrid, and Chelsea will play in the competition.

When is the ‘Messi Cup’ starting?

It will start from December 9 and end on December 14.

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Rajarshi Shukla

After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.