FC Barcelona’s under-16s opened their Messi Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against River Plate in Miami, battling back late on a humid first day that delivered goals, big storylines, and a strong dose of spotlight thanks to the presence of Lionel Messi himself.
The inaugural edition of the youth tournament, created by Messi’s production company and unveiled back in October, brings together eight of the world’s top academies for a week of competition at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium and the Florida Blue Training Center. It marks a new platform for standout young talents, framed by Messi’s own vision. As organizers described on social media, “Players chasing their dreams. A platform for the next era. One stage, one future. This is more than football, it’s a movement.”
Barça struck first against River when Ruslan Mba unleashed a driven effort from distance in the 33rd minute, a reward for the team’s early control. But the match flipped after the break. River equalized through Bruno Cabral from the penalty spot just before the hour, then took the lead four minutes later when Joaquín Amor reacted quickest inside the box to guide in an instinctive finish.
Barcelona grew more urgent as time wore on, and their pressure finally paid off in the 80th minute. After a set piece caused chaos in the area, Ahmed Abarkane pounced on the rebound to level the match and salvage a point for the Catalans. The draw leaves Barça in decent shape in a group expected to be tight from the outset. The club sees the tournament as a valuable test for a generation that has been progressing steadily this season.
Earlier in the day, Messi took center stage as he officially inaugurated the event. Coming off an MLS Cup triumph and a second consecutive MVP award with Inter Miami, he received an ovation that felt more like a celebration than a ceremony. Young players crowded around hoping for a moment with him, and some even managed a hug from the Argentine legend. Back in October, Messi explained his motivation for creating the tournament: “The future of the game will be on full display, and it’s more than just matches… This is about the next generation.”
Elsewhere in the group stage, several teams made early statements. Manchester City looked sharp in a composed 3-0 win over Inter Milan. Chelsea and Atletico Madrid produced the wildest match of the afternoon, with the English side emerging 4-2 victors. Inter Miami’s academy, playing on familiar ground, swept past Newell’s Old Boys 4-0 in a matchup carrying sentimental weight given Messi’s origins at the Argentine club.
With fixtures running through December 16, the top two teams in each group will progress to the semifinals. Matches are available on ESPN+ in the United States, Disney+ in Australia, and on ESPN UK’s YouTube channel across Europe.
