JuicyTalk
Lionel Messi has created a new youth football tournament that will stage 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 participate.
The U16 tournament will take place over six days from 9 to 14 December at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, the home of Messi’s club Inter Miami, and will consist of 18 matches, with eight teams involved.
Both Chelsea and Manchester City are expected to take part in the very first edition, which could become an annual event, with Messi’s former and current clubs Barcelona and Inter Miami also involved.
Italian side Inter Milan, as well as Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid and Argentine clubs River Plate and Newell’s Old Boys – who Messi began his career with as a youth player – are the four other sides set to feature.
What has Messi himself said about it?
Announcing the tournament in an Instagram post, Messi wrote: “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 an incredible few days planned with lots of other exciting activities. This is about the next generation. Hope you like it! This is the #MessiCup.”
How will the tournament work?
The competition, set up by Messi’s production company 525 Rosario, will see the eight teams split into two groups of four.
Teams will begin by playing all three of the other sides in their group, with the top teams in each group progressing to a play-off round, followed by a final contested by the winners of those.
CEO of 525 Rosario, Tim Pastore, called the competition an “opportunity to celebrate talent, culture, and community” and said the aim of the tournament is to help create “legacies and bonds 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.”
