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LEO MESSI INAUGURATES THE SECOND EDITION OF THE MESSI CUP IN MIAMI

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LEO MESSI INAUGURATES THE SECOND EDITION OF THE MESSI CUP IN MIAMI

The 2026 Messi Cup kicked off in Miami this Sunday with the opening matchday and the official opening ceremony of its second edition. The tournament, created by Leo Messi, brings together 16 clubs from nine countries and three continents, doubling the number of participants from its inaugural edition.

The Inter Miami CF Stadium hosted the opening ceremony, which brought together representatives from all 16 participating teams. With Leo Messi acting as master of ceremonies, the event marked the start of eight days of competition, as some of the world's leading football academies compete for the title.

Leo Messi's message to the participants

During the opening ceremony, Leo Messi addressed the young footballers, encouraging them to enjoy the competition and the opportunity to share an international experience, regardless of the results on the pitch.

"I hope they enjoy the tournament, beyond the results, and make the most of competing and experiencing it, making friends from different parts of the world and discovering different cultures. I hope it will be an unforgettable tournament, one that leaves them with memories for a lifetime, and that when they grow up, they will still remember this tournament, regardless of what happens to each of them personally in the future. I hope they take away unforgettable memories from this competition."

An opening matchday full of goals and excitement across all four groups

The opening matchday produced several notable results. Boca Juniors defeated Manchester City 3-0, scoring all three goals within just five minutes, while Palmeiras beat FC Barcelona 2-0 and Newell's Old Boys secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Arsenal.

In Group A, Ajax began their campaign with a 2-1 win over Inter Milan. Atlético de Madrid defeated Benfica 2-0 in Group C, where hosts Inter Miami CF also claimed their first three points with a 2-1 victory over Independiente del Valle.
The matchday concluded with the clash between River Plate and Chelsea, one of the day's most anticipated fixtures. The Argentine side, champions of the inaugural edition, began their title defence against the English club. A closely contested match that ended in a 0-0 draw.

Matchday 1 results and goalscorers

Group A

  • Ajax 2-1 Inter Milan: L. Heitinga (2', 28'); S. Zoumbare (20', pen.).
  • River Plate 0-0 Chelsea

Group B

  • Arsenal 0-1 Newell's Old Boys: J. Suárez (6').
  • FC Barcelona 0-2 Palmeiras: M. Messias (19'); G. Silva (31', pen.).

Group C

  • Atlético de Madrid 2-0 Benfica: H. G. Pascual (16'); A. Díaz (18').
  • Independiente del Valle 1-2 Inter Miami CF: V. Petrelli (18') and A. Campbell (21') for Inter Miami CF; L. Lastra (31') for Independiente del Valle.

Group D

  • Manchester City 0-3 Boca Juniors: T. Sánchez (13'); E. Rocha (15'); B. Di Risio (17').
  • Flamengo 0-0 UE Cornellà

An opportunity to develop young talent

Beyond the competition itself, the Messi Cup aims to offer participants an experience that combines football with learning and cultural exchange. Bringing together clubs from nine countries and three continents allows young players to face different playing styles and share experiences with teammates from different footballing backgrounds.

The inaugural edition already showcased the tournament's potential as a platform for emerging talent. One example is Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, who this season became the youngest player in Chelsea's history to make his Premier League debut.

With 16 participating clubs and an expanded international reach, the 2026 Messi Cup continues to grow, aiming to connect the world's leading academies and contribute to the development of the next generation of footballers.

The tournament is being broadcast on ESPN and Disney+, depending on the territory, bringing the matches and their participants to fans around the world.
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