Fort Lauderdale’s Chase Stadium opened a new window to international youth soccer on Tuesday with the official debut of the Messi Cup, an U-16 tournament promoted by Lionel Messi that seeks to combine competition, training and global projection, with the participation of eight elite academies from the United States, Europe and South America.
“I’m very happy you’re all here and we’re going to have a nice few days,” said the host, who minutes earlier was recognized with the Landon Donovan MLS MVP (most valuable player) award, which he receives for the second consecutive year and two days after Inter Miami was crowned the U.S. Soccer Premier League champion.
Messi Cup is inaugurated
Lionel Messi and his words at the inauguration of the MESSI CUP.
📺 The
#MessiCup on #DisneyPlus Premium Plan. pic.twitter.com/c55yMgGQU5– SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) December 9, 2025
The Argentine footballer regretted that the rain had forced him to change his plans for the inauguration of his cup, which runs from December 9 to 14 at the home of Inter Miami.
The idea was that the participating players would accompany him when he received the award.
“We wanted everyone to be here on the field, but it didn’t make sense to get everyone wet,” he explained, later promising to be present every day.
“We’ll have time to be together,” he said, receiving cheers from U-16 players from FC Barcelona, Manchester City, Chelsea FC, Atlético de Madrid, Inter Milan, Argentina’s Newell’s Old Boys and River Plate and Inter Miami, and their families, who watched from the stands, in a clear commitment to emerging talent and the early internationalization of the training process.
The format contemplates two groups of four teams.
The top two in each series will advance to the semifinals and the winners will compete for the title in the final, scheduled for Saturday, December 14.
Everyone wants to see the MVP
🤯 CRAZY WHAT MESSI GENERATES!
👀 The Argentine star surprised the Messi Cup teams in Miami.
Enjoy the tournament on #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/27c35ZcdFe
– ESPN.com.mx (@ESPNmx) December 9, 2025
The audience, made up mainly of parents, children and teenagers, told EFE they were “happy” to see Messi, even if it was in the rain and for a short time.
“We came to see Messi and the game because she loves to play,” said Giselle Valdez, who took the morning to bring her little girl Isabella Osorio, a midfielder with dreams of making it to a World Cup, to the stadium.
Paulina Llaga arrived as a family with her four children and could not get over the excitement of having felt close to Messi.
“He said he was going to be with the guys, so we’re going back,” he indicated.
For its part, the non-profit organization Fútbol Con Corazón took a group of teenagers to the opening match.
Tu donativo brinda terapias, esperanza y un futuro sin límites a niños con discapacidad. Haz la diferencia hoy.
Dona y cambia vidas
“We seek to help young people who are going through difficult times at home through sports,” explained one of its leaders.
This Tuesday, on the opening day, Inter Miami will play Newell’s Old Boys and FC Barcelona will face River Plate, while Manchester City will debut against Inter Milan and Chelsea will play Atletico Madrid.
Wednesday’s matches will be: Newell’s Old Boys-Chelsea, Inter Miami-Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan-FC Barcelona and River Plate-Manchester City.
Thursday’s games will be played by: River Plate- Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid-Newell’s Old Boys, Chelsea-Inter Miami and Manchester City-FC Barcelona.
On Friday there will be a day dedicated to institutional and training activities and on Saturday the semifinals will be played.
The final of the Messi Cup, as well as the match for third place, will be held this Sunday at Chase Stadium to close an intense week that seeks to consolidate itself as a reference in the international youth soccer calendar.
Filed under: Messi Cup Inaugurated
With information from EFE
