Lionel Messi is set to make his debut in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, a competition that has undergone significant changes in recent years. Formerly known as the CONCACAF Champions League, the tournament has expanded to include 27 teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, with the prize money for the winning team increasing from $500,000 to $5 million. The competition also offers the added incentive of securing a place at next year’s club World Cup.
This year’s tournament began with 22 teams, with eight MLS teams, including Miami and Columbus, in action for the round of 16 stage. Teams qualify for the CONCACAF Champions Cup through their domestic leagues, cups, or regional cup competitions, with Miami and Columbus earning byes into the round of 16 as Leagues Cup and MLS Cup winners, respectively.
Other teams such as Houston Dynamo, Nashville, Philadelphia, FC Cincinnati, Orlando, and the New England Revolution also qualified for the tournament through their domestic league or cup successes. However, Vancouver Whitecaps and St. Louis City, who qualified as Canadian Championship champions, were eliminated in the first round.
As Messi prepares to make his mark in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the tournament continues to evolve, offering an exciting platform for clubs across the region to compete for glory and a chance to showcase their talent on the international stage.
