Lionel Messi: Argentina captain calls for ‘best ballers’ in new tournament in the US, Canada, UK and Ireland

Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has shared a clip of himself watching budding “ballers” score goals as part of a new “global tournament” launched by the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

2022 World Cup winner Messi held a crown bearing his name while announcing a skills competition that will take place in the US, Canada, UK and Ireland, with a final in Miami in September.

Starting in Los Angeles, the project will feature four heats before the finalists perform in front of Messi in the decider.

Messi is the reigning MLS MVP, with no player in the league outscoring his 18 goals when the 38-year-old issued his call-out on July 24.

Messi 1v1 World Crown: LA, Toronto, London, Dublin

The first event takes place in LA on August 2, followed by Toronto on August 16, London on August 23 and Dublin on September 6.

The final is in Miami on September 19, and players can have a chance of skipping the qualifiers and going straight to the final by submitting a skill video of up to two minutes here.

Applicants should use the hashtags #MasbyMessiContest and #1v1WorldCrown with a link to a public video of their skills on their social media profile.

Fans can also win a VIP trip to the final in Miami, including a meeting with Messi, by entering a draw here.

Lionel Messi stats

Messi has just set a new record by becoming the first MLS player to score multiple goals in five consecutive league games.

The run ended with a 3-0 defeat at Cincinnati on July 17, but Messi scored twice and set up another goal in their subsequent 5-1 win at New York Red Bulls.

Miami are fifth in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind leaders Cincinnati with three matches in hand.

Lionel Messi contract, salary

Messi remains the most high-profile player in the world alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and has an optional extra year in his Miami contract.

Speaking to Marca after Messi’s arrival was first announced in July 2023, Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said the four-time Champions League winner would earn up to $60 million a year.

Messi’s purported playing salary of up to $20.4m is considerably more than any other player in the US and is heftily increased by holding equity in the club and payments from league broadcasters Apple.

Lionel Andres Messi ✨ pic.twitter.com/WqYoIZNPEv

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 16, 2025

Lionel Messi Inter Miami record

The club was formed by a group including former England captain David Beckham in 2018 and made Messi one of the most prestigious MLS signings of all time five years later, winning their first trophy with the help of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Suarez when they triumphed in the 2023 Leagues Cup.

In his first full campaign with the club, Messi averaged an MLS-record 2.18 goal contributions per 90 minutes in 2024 to help Miami win their first Supporters’ Shield.

He has 24 goals and eight assists in 29 appearances in all competitions in 2025, with former Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano taking over as boss before the start of the season.

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