What needs to happen for Lionel Messi to play in the Copa Libertadores?
Alejandro Domínguez has once again expressed his desire to see Lionel Messi play in the Copa Libertadores. But for that to happen, a door would have to open for Inter Miami — or the Argentine would need to take a very different path.
Lionel Messi has won virtually everything, but there is one competition he has never played in: the Copa Libertadores.
Conmebol president Alejandro Domínguez once again expressed his dream of seeing the former Barcelona star compete for South America's biggest club trophy.
“He played in every possible final, but he's missing the Libertadores. There's nothing that compares to it. It's unique, and it's something he deserves to play in. If I were a club president, I would do everything possible to bring him in,” Domínguez said in the mixed zone following Messi's farewell with the national team.
So, what would actually need to happen for Messi to play in the Libertadores?
Could Inter Miami play in the Copa Libertadores?
One possible route would involve Inter Miami, although it would require a major change to the current landscape.
Concacaf clubs would need to regain access to the Copa Libertadores, as was previously the case with Liga MX teams from 1998 to 2016.
Under that scenario, Inter Miami could potentially have a path into the competition while Messi remains at the club.
For such a possibility to move forward, Concacaf and Conmebol would need to find a way to make their competitions and calendars compatible.
It would not be the first time the two confederations have found common ground at international level, as teams from both regions previously came together for the Copa América Centenario.
For now, however, this remains only a possibility. There is nothing in the available information confirming that Inter Miami will participate in the Libertadores.
Newell's could offer Messi another route
The other option would take Messi directly back to South America.
It is difficult to imagine the Argentine returning to play for a club in his homeland other than Newell's Old Boys, the team where he began his development before moving to Barcelona and the club he supports.
For that scenario to happen, two things would have to come together: Newell's would need to qualify for the Copa Libertadores, and Messi would have to decide to play for La Lepra.
It would be a completely different route from a potential return of Concacaf clubs to the tournament, but it could also give Messi his first opportunity to compete in South America's biggest club competition.
The possible paths that could take Messi to the Libertadores
- Inter Miami would need a route into the Copa Libertadores, which would require Concacaf clubs to regain access to the competition.
- Another possibility would be for Newell's to qualify and for Messi to decide to return to the club where he began his development.
- Alejandro Domínguez has expressed his desire to see Messi play in the Libertadores, but that does not mean an agreement currently exists to make it happen.
