Lionel Messi has created a new youth football tournament which will hold its inaugural competition in December this year, with two English clubs and two of the 38-year-old’s former teams among those invited to take part.
The U16 tournament will take place over six days, from December 9-14, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, home of Messi’s club Inter Miami, and will feature 18 matches, with eight teams involved.
Chelsea and Manchester City are expected to participate in the first-ever edition, which could become an annual event, with Messi’s former and current clubs Barcelona and Inter Miami also participating.
Italian side Inter Milan, as well as Spanish side Atletico Madrid and Argentinian clubs River Plate and Newell’s Old Boys – with whom Messi began his career as a youth player – are the other four teams who will be present.
What did Messi himself say about it?
Announcing the tournament in an Instagram post, Messi wrote: “I’m delighted to finally be able to share this with you – this December, Miami will host a very special youth football tournament featuring some of the best clubs in the world.
“The future of football will be on full display, and it’s not just about matches. We have an incredible few days planned with many other exciting activities. It’s about the next generation. I hope you like it! It’s the #MessiCup.”
How will the tournament take place?
The competition, organized by Messi’s production company, 525 Rosario, will see the eight teams divided into two groups of four.
Teams will begin by playing the other three teams in their group, with the top teams from each group progressing to a play-off round, followed by a final contested by the winners of these.
525 Rosario CEO Tim Pastore called the competition “an opportunity to celebrate talent, culture and community” and said the tournament’s goal is to help create “a legacy and connections that will endure beyond the field of play.”
Pastore added: “The Messi Cup is the meeting point between the football of today and the players of tomorrow.”
