Source:REUTERS/Sam Navarro
[Saba Sports News] The inaugural ‘Messi Cup’ was held recently, and on this day, Lionel Messi, the Argentine national team player and current Inter Miami star, attended the opening ceremony as one of the hosts. After the awarding ceremony, Messi personally kicked off the match for the participating teams and took photos with young players from his former club, Newell’s Old Boys.
The ‘Messi Cup’ was initiated by Messi’s production company, focusing on creating a top-level competitive and developmental platform for youth players. The event aims to redefine youth football tournaments by not only providing U16 elite players with opportunities to showcase their skills to global scouts and professional clubs, thereby aiding their career development, but also hopes to convey the spirit of football through the competition. It combines various activities to nurture the next generation of players and fans, promoting international youth football exchange and heritage.
I believe that Messi’s personal involvement in this event through his company, while turning down multi-million dollar endorsements, demonstrates his deep commitment to its related aspects. Transitioning from a star player on the field to a promoter of youth training events, he is no longer just a performer in the football realm but has become a messenger of football’s spirit. This elevates his personal brand value beyond mere competition, adding a rich sense of emotion and social responsibility.