” Messi is recovering from his injury from the Copa America, while Suarez suffered a knee injury after Inter Miami beat Chicago Fire FC 2-1 on July 21. However, both players are still on the list of players for the Leagues Cup, which will start on July 28. Inter Miami is the defending champion and is expected to continue to successfully defend the first title in the team’s history,” AS said .
“The 2024 Leagues Cup will increase prize money to a total of $40 million. This year, 47 teams will participate from three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico (also co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup).
The teams are divided into 15 groups of 3 teams each. The group stage matches of the 2024 Leagues Cup will be held in two zones: East (7 groups) and West (8 groups).
30 teams, including the teams finishing first and second in their groups, advanced to the round of 32. Here, two teams participated, Colombus Crew (MLS champions, USA) and Club America (Liga MX, Mexico), who entered directly and did not compete in the group stage,” according to AS .
From the round of 32, the teams will be divided into pairs to compete in a single-elimination format (if the match is tied after the regular time, a penalty shootout will be held to determine the winner). The final match will take place on August 26 (Vietnam time).
Teams participating in the 2024 Leagues Cup will receive a $100,000 entry fee, with an additional $50,000 for each win. In 2023, when Inter Miami won the title in Messi’s first appearance in American football, the team, chaired and co-owned by David Beckham, received a $2 million prize.
However, this year, if they successfully defend their title, Messi and his teammates will receive a higher prize. The Leagues Cup is also highly regarded by Mr. David Beckham, as this is the first championship in the history of the club he founded. He hopes that Messi will recover from his injury in time to participate in the tournament, defend the achievement that once caused a great resonance and bring his team to a new level.
After winning the 2023 Leagues Cup, Messi and Inter Miami entered the round of 16 of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, but stopped in the quarterfinals.
This year, if they successfully defend their title, in addition to continuing to participate in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, David Beckham’s team will also have a place in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. In addition, the opportunity to win the MLS Cup (played from October to December 7) will also have a place.
In MLS, Inter Miami is leading the Eastern Conference standings with 53 points after 25 matches, ensuring a place in the playoffs. In addition, they also have a high chance of winning the Supporters’ Shield (given to the team with the best record in the MLS points round).
Therefore, from now until the end of the year, Messi personally has 3 more great opportunities to win more championships (including Supporters’ Shield, Leagues Cup and MLS Cup), to increase his record of championship titles (currently 45 titles), which is already the most in the history of world football for an individual player.
