Leo Messi inaugurates the second edition of the Messi Cup in Miami, with twice as many participants

Leo Messi This Sunday kicked off the second edition of the Messi Cup, an international youth football tournament that has doubled the number of participants compared to its first edition. The championship, which takes place in Miami, brings together 16 clubs from nine countries and three continents, with some of the main academies in world football represented.

The Inter Miami CF Stadium hosted the opening ceremony, in which the Argentine star addressed the young footballers to remind them that the experience goes far beyond the results. “Enjoy the tournament, beyond the result, to compete and live the experience, to make friends from different parts of the world and to get to know different cultures,” encouraged Messi, who expressed his hope that the championship leaves them with lifelong memories.

The first day was marked by goals, surprises and equality in some of the matches. One of the most striking results was Boca Juniors’ victory against Manchester City (3-0), with three goals concentrated in just five minutes, between the 13th and the 17th. Palmeiras’ victory against FC Barcelona (2-0) also stood out, while Newell’s Old Boys narrowly beat Arsenal (1-0).

Atlético de Madrid got off to a good start by defeating Benfica 2-0, with two goals in just two minutes, the work of HG Pascual and A. Díaz. For its part, Inter Miami CF, host of the tournament, beat Independiente del Valle 2-1. Ajax also started with a victory, beating Inter Milan 2-1, while Flamengo and UE Cornellà signed one of the two goalless draws of the day.

River Plate, current champion, could not get past the tie

The closing of the first day was reserved for the duel between River Plate and Chelsea. The Argentine team, champion of the inaugural edition, began the defense of its title with a goalless draw against the English team, in a very close match.

The Messi Cup aspires to consolidate itself as an international showcase for promising young players, combining competition with learning and cultural exchange. The presence of teams from different countries and continents allows participants to face different styles of play and coexist with footballers from other realities.

The first edition already showed signs of the tournament’s potential as a development platform. Among its young protagonists is Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, who this season has become the youngest player in Chelsea’s history to make his Premier League debut.

The second edition will last eight days and has coverage from ESPN and Disney+, depending on the territory. With broader participation and a greater international dimension, the tournament promoted by Messi reinforces its commitment to connecting the world’s main academies and contributing to the growth of new generations of footballers.

Results of the first day

Group A: Ajax 2-1 Inter Milan; River Plate 0-0 Chelsea.

Group B: Arsenal 0-1 Newell’s Old Boys; FC Barcelona 0-2 Palmeiras.

Group C: Atlético de Madrid 2-0 Benfica; Independiente del Valle 1-2 Inter Miami CF.

Group D: Manchester City 0-3 Boca Juniors; Flamengo 0-0 UE Cornellà.