Lionel Messi officially presented the Messi Cup, an international Under-16 tournament that will hold its first edition in Miami from December 9 to 14, 2025, and will bring together some of the world's most prestigious youth academies. River will be one of the eight participating teams, along with powerhouses such as Barcelona, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Inter Milan, as well as Atlético de Madrid, Newell’s Old Boys, and Inter Miami, Messi's own club.
"I can finally tell you that in December there’s going to be a very special tournament for young talents in Miami, with several of the best clubs in the world. There will also be many more activities during those days. I hope you like it!", wrote the captain of the national team on his social media, confirming what will be his first major global project linked to talent development.
Messi anunció la Messi Cup
For six days, the teams will play elite matches and take part in cultural, technological, and sports activities, with the goal of making the Messi Cup more than just a competition: a space to discover, develop, and celebrate the football stars of the future.
The tournament will be divided into two groups of four teams that will play a round-robin stage. The qualifiers will then advance to the play-offs, which will include the third-place match and the grand final at Inter Miami's Chase Stadium, where the first champion in the tournament's history will be crowned.
In addition to the sporting aspect, the Messi Cup will have a strong institutional and cultural component. Meanwhile, a football industry summit will be held at the Faena Forum, with the presence of figures from sports, culture, and business, and an official party, the Messi Cup Summit Party, at Pao by Paul Qui, which will seek to combine the spirit of football with artistic and social celebration.
Además del torneo, habrá un Summit Party
"The Messi Cup is the meeting point between today's football and tomorrow's players", emphasized Tim Pastore, CEO of 525 Rosario, Messi's production company. "It's an opportunity to celebrate talent, culture, and community, creating legacies and bonds that will endure beyond the field".
With this initiative, Messi seeks to inspire new generations, promote sporting and cultural exchange, and strengthen his brand beyond professional football. The Messi Cup, in addition to showcasing young talents, aims to become a global movement that combines sports, innovation, and culture under the seal of the greatest player of all time.
