Inter Miami have reportedly been offered the chance to play in the Copa Libertadores, the South American Champions League.
That’s according to journalist Hugo Balassone, who has claimed that CONMEBOL President Chiqui Tapia has extended a formal request to Inter Miami to invite them to compete in the competition.
No North American team has ever competed in the Copa Libertadores, and this is an unusual request. The presence of Lionel Messi in Miami has no doubt played a huge part in getting the bottom club of the MLS table invited to a tournament where the best teams in South America and sometimes Mexico compete.
This would be hugely significant for Messi in particular, as it gives him the chance to win a prestigious trophy which he has yet to compete in. The likes of Neymar, Pele, Juan Roman Riquelme and Carlos Tevez have all won the tournament with the likes of Santos and Boca Juniors.
Should Inter Miami compete in the Copa Libertadores?
Whilst this could be amazing news for fans of Inter Miami, as well as the players, there may be resentment in South America that a club will be allowed to enter based upon the status of their players, rather than sporting merit.
If Inter Miami were to say win the Leagues Cup to be able to qualify, then there would be more openness towards them entering such a historic competition.
If an alternative CONMEBOL competition were to be created, with North American teams beyond Miami invited, then perhaps the idea could work. Right now though, it seems likely that Inter Miami entering as a result of an invite, because of Messi’s presence, would cause jubilation and dismay in similar amounts.
However, the idea of Messi being able to play against some of Argentina’s biggest sides could be a mouthwatering prospect, and this may be something David Beckham and Inter Miami may consider for friendlies or future competitions.