Euros Power Rankings: Ronaldo drags Portugal down to No.8

Straight swap or system change: How do England replace Guehi?

Bellingham is channelling Michael Jordan - for better & worse

Tottenham are getting a gem with £30m Leeds teen Gray

Better late than never! Bayern finally land Palhinha

Real Madrid legend makes Galacticos prediction about Mbappe

Ronaldo's Slovenia antics prove it's time Portugal moved on

Transfers LIVE: Arsenal join Juventus in race for Calafiori

'Golden generation' tarnished as USMNT crash out of Copa America

Disgraced ex-Ajax star Promes released by Spartak

'Misstiano Penaldo' - Terry brands BBC 'disgrace' for CR7 jibe

England face Euros humiliation if Southgate doesn't wise up

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>Argentine left his homeland at 13 years of age</li><li>Spent time in Spain, France &amp; America</li><li>Herons trying to earn invite to major competition</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Will Lionel Messi get Copa Libertadores chance? MLS outfit Inter Miami push for invite that gives Argentine icon historic shot at another trophy

Major League Soccer

Charlotte FC

Inter Miami CF

Copa America

Argentina

Ecuador

<p>Despite being a South American native, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-napkin-sold-barcelona-first-contract/blt43decfa25e75c82f" target="_blank">Messi headed to Barcelona at the age of 13</a>. He was forced to sever ties with the Catalan giants in 2021, but is yet to return to his roots – with a move made to Paris Saint-Germain before <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/secret-meetings-10-year-project-how-david-beckham-signed-lionel-messi-inter-miami-co-owner/bltcc28a521e2bdff22 " target="_blank">linking up with David Beckham in Florida during the summer of 2023</a>.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Jorge Mas is the majority shareholder at Inter Miami and has reiterated his desire to see Messi given a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/lionel-messi-inter-miami-surprise-invite-copa-libertadores-mls/blt1e487d8956eb60c9" target="_blank">chance to savour a historic Copa Libertadores triumph</a> while plying his trade in MLS. Mas has told <a href="https://www.ole.com.ar/usa/mls/inter-miami/jorge-inter-miami-camiseta-rosa-madrid-espana-ole-sports-summit_0_05wztxY9vq.html " target="_blank"><em>Ole</em></a>: “We aspire to one day participate in the Libertadores. I think it is an important goal, it is a tournament that Leo has never participated in. We also  want to elevate the league to have participation and would love to see if we are given the opportunity, the possibility of participating in the Club World Cup next year, and obviously again in four years for 2029. We aspire to a lot.”</p>

WHAT MAS SAID

<p>Mas has also pointed out that Inter Miami will do all they can to ensure that Messi is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/explained-how-lionel-messi-making-mls-league-of-choice-superstars/blt7d3dfd6510636c0e" target="_blank">not the last modern day legend to grace their books</a>, with big plans for the future being drawn up. He added: “There will always be talk of an era of before and after Messi in the development of soccer in the United States, it is the largest market in the world but it is in its soccer infancy. But I think that we are going to continue aspiring to have a team, a squad that can compete in international tournaments. We are going to continue dreaming big, always wanting the best footballers in the world to play for Inter Miami. Having Lionel here has been a blessing for the club, for football in this country. I think he is having an extremely good time, his family is happy here and we are very happy.”</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Messi is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-contract-wages-cristiano-ronaldo/blt11e2d05b108b1895" target="_blank">tied to a contract through the 2025 MLS campaign</a>, but has the option of a 12-month extension. Triggering that clause would keep him in America for a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-update-2026-world-cup-plans-argentina-inter-miami-united-states-mexico-canada/bltf7e8c8bcdba5ba36 " target="_blank">World Cup in 2026 that will be co-hosted by the United States</a>, Mexico and Canada.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

Will Lionel Messi get Copa Libertadores chance? MLS outfit Inter Miami push for invite that gives Argentine icon historic shot at another trophy | Goal.com

Inter Miami continue to push for inclusion in the Copa Libertadores, with Argentine talisman Lionel Messi having never graced that competition.