The second edition of the Messi Cup will run from October 25 to November 1 at Chase Stadium and the Florida Blue Training Center in Fort Lauderdale, the host club has confirmed. The field has doubled from eight academies to sixteen, drawn from nine countries.
The line-up reads like a shortlist of the sport’s biggest youth systems. FC Barcelona, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Atlético de Madrid, Inter Milan, Ajax, Benfica and Inter Miami CF are the European and North American entries. From South America come River Plate, Boca Juniors, Newell’s Old Boys, Flamengo, Palmeiras and Independiente del Valle. Spanish second-tier academy side UE Cornellà completes the sixteen.
Messi announces the expansion
Lionel Messi confirmed the enlarged field himself.
“The Messi Cup, even bigger! 16 clubs from nine countries. Bringing together the world’s best young talent again,” the Inter Miami captain wrote on Instagram.
Read also: Ex-Premier League referee stunned by Man City decision as VAR row erupts
The tournament is run by 525 Rosario, the production company Messi founded and named after his hometown.
River Plate arrive as holders
The 2025 edition, played over six days in December, ended with a South American winner. River Plate beat Atlético de Madrid 2-0 in the final at Chase Stadium, with Argentine forward Bruno Cabral scoring twice inside two minutes either side of the half-hour, ESPN reported. Cabral finished the week as top scorer with seven goals and was named best player.
Chelsea and Manchester City reached the semifinals a year ago. Both are back, along with the two beaten finalists, meaning the four sides that made the last four of the inaugural edition all return to defend or improve on their finish.
The addition of Arsenal, Ajax, Benfica, Boca Juniors, Flamengo, Palmeiras, Independiente del Valle and UE Cornellà is the visible change to the field.
Read also: Jude Bellingham taunts Romero over Messi – his World Cup comeback is savage
Broadcast plans
Coverage of the 2025 tournament ran on ESPN+ in the United States, the ESPN UK YouTube channel across the UK and Europe, and Disney+ in Australia, ESPN set out ahead of the first edition. Inter Miami has said the 2026 matches will again be shown on Disney+, ESPN+ and ESPN, subject to territory.
The full schedule has not been released. The tournament kicks off on October 25 at the Florida Blue Training Center, with knockout matches heading to Chase Stadium as the week progresses.
Read also: Raphinha names his Ballon d'Or winner: "He has to win the award"
