What is The Messi Cup? The second edition of the tournament takes place in Miami this week

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Martin Macdonald | Writer

The inaugural Messi Cup took place at the end of 2025, showcasing some of the best young footballers on the planet.

Back in October of 2025, the Argentine superstar announced the creation of the new competition, posting on Instagram:

"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."

The first Messi Cup was won by River Plate, who defeated Atletico Madrid 2-0 in the final

The second edition of the tournament has commenced in Miami, and taking part will be Inter Miami, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City, River Plate, Inter Milan, Newell's Old Boys, Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, Ajax, Benfica, Palmeiras, Boca Juniors, Independiente del Valle, Flamengo, and UE Cornella.

"The Messi Cup is where today’s game meets tomorrow’s players," said Tim Pastore, CEO of Messi's media company, 525 Rosario, least year.

"It is an opportunity to celebrate talent, culture, and community, while creating legacies and bonds that will endure well beyond the pitch."

Messi Cup Group Stage schedule

Sunday, Oct. 25:

Group C: Independiente del Valle vs. Inter Miami CF

Group A: Ajax vs. Inter Milan

Group B: Barcelona vs. Palmeiras

Group C: Atlético Madrid vs. Benfica

Group B: Arsenal vs. Newell's Old Boys

Group D: Manchester City vs. Boca Juniors

Group D: Flamengo vs. UE Cornellà

Group A: River Plate vs. Chelsea FC

Monday, Oct. 26:

Group A: River Plate vs. Ajax

Group D: Manchester City vs. Flamengo

Group D: Boca Juniors vs. UE Cornellà

Group A: Chelsea FC vs. Inter Milan

Group C: Atlético Madrid vs. Independiente del Valle

Group C: Benfica vs. Inter Miami

Group B: Barcelona vs. Arsenal

Group B: Palmeiras vs. Newell's Old Boys

Tuesday, Oct. 27:

Group D: Boca Juniors vs. Flamengo

Group B: Barcelona vs. Newell's Old Boys

Group C: Atlético Madrid vs. Inter Miami

Group C: Benfica vs. Independiente del Valle

Group A: River Plate vs. Inter Milan

Group A: Chelsea vs. Ajax

Group B: Palmeiras vs. Arsenal

Group D: Manchester City vs. UE Cornellà

A prestigious tournament

In a podcast appearance with Miro de Atrás, Messi explained that it was important to create this new competition so that younger players can experience different cultures even if they are just starting out in the game.

"It occurred to us for the same thing that I told before, to give the boys the opportunity to live the experience," he said.

"That they make the trip, that they go to another part of the world, that they live with other cultures. May those of our club [Inter Miami] have the opportunity to compete with guys from outside. It's a nice age, it's there at the limit, it's fair. A very nice atmosphere was lived, they lived together for a week, things that I had to live.

"It came out as a test."

The Argentine also pledged to continue growing the competition so that more teams from more countries can compete, though admitted there are some logistical and scheduling issies to overcome.

"The idea is that it is bigger and that more teams come from more countries," he continued.

"It's a little difficult because the calendars don't match much. We brought River, but the idea is also Boca, Newell's, Rosario Central. It's not that we brought River just because and not Boca, but that's how it came out. We want it to be marked as a date and that the clubs have it on the agenda."